Someone gave my cell number to a multi-level marketer.

[LoZoccolo]

I recieved a voice-mail message about "full or part-time work", and I called back asking how they got my number. They said that someone referred them, but they won't say who. The guy was being a jerk, but fortunately I have his number. I did a reverse lookup on it and found an address which is associated with some multi-level marketing scheme.

I don't want this guy calling anyone's cell phone number again or my own, so what should I do? I wrote an email to the state's attorney general, but I wasn't sure if that was who I should contact because it doesn't seem exactly like a consumer problem. Does anyone else have any ideas?

[sui generis]

1. Write a letter to him

Send a copy of the letter you sent to the state attorney's office. There should also be a local police unit that deals with fraud - including multi-level and Ponzi schemes. Offer to share his address and telephone with the police.

Heck, just do it anyway.

[Modem Butterfly]

2. Someone must hate you

Either that, or it's just a cold-call masquerading as a referral.

[mcscajun]

3. I'd say the latter.

It's difficult to tell cellphone numbers from the landline numbers these days, and some auto-dialers just hit every number in sequence.

I got a cold call telemarketer one time riding home on the train; it caught me by surprise, 'cause it had never happened before. I asked "How did you get this number?" When they explained the auto-dialing, I felt like an idiot. But only for a minute. :)

"Referral"? Lies, lies, lies. That's similar to the one where they mention your neighbor being happy with their service, or the other one where they thank you for donating in the past. Lies, Lies, Lies. Whatever makes the sale.

[radwriter0555]

4. When they call again, tell them you've requested 3 times to be placed on

their do-not-call list, and since this is the fourth call, you're now initiating a small claims case. Then tell them you have their address and contact info, etc. You'll scare the crap out of them.

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. Give us the phone number, and have a few hundred DUers call him

and tell not to fucking call people he doesn't know.

[LoZoccolo]

7. Ha, well he's got mine.

The thought did cross my mind, though.

[ChaoticSilly]

9. Better yet...

Use his number to request more information for every telemarketing scheme you can find - websites, any junk emails you get, those little leaflets in the magazines at the library.

Somebody posted a notorious spammer's street address on slashdot a few months ago, and well... I'll just say he had to use a wheel barrel to check his mail after that. If you've ever been to slashdot, you'll understand what a few thousand angry geeks are capable of. :evilgrin:

[Rabrrrrrr]

10. LOL! Even better!!

Flood 'em with other telemarketer calls, junk mails, and other crap!

Every one of those goddamned telemarketing criminals should get that treatment.

[livetohike]

6. Register your cell phone number here

https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx

Then if they call again, you can report them. There is a complaint form.

[Bossy Monkey]

8. I don't know any reason why the Nat'l Do Not Call Registry wouldn't apply

to cell phone numbers: https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx
That covers you. State Attorney General's office, as you say, should be a good place to turn him in, though if you have a state consumer advocate office that might be good, too. (It does seem like a consumer problem to me, as they're aiming to defraud you.) At the federal level, try the FTC.

Edit: HA! I should have read the entire thread. Forgive repetition.