§ siboliban.org

Where have you gone, Rosella Hutchison?

So, for the past few months, I’ve been getting this automated phone call at home. If I pick up the phone and hear an automated message, I usually hang up before I listen to it in its entirety. I probably shouldn’t do that all the time, but there’s something about picking up a phone and hearing an automated message that makes me blind with rage. The calls seemed to always come at 8 a.m. on the dot, so I would just let the calls go to my answering machine. The message would be a electronic-voiced lady saying:

“We need to speak with {pause} Rosella Hutchison {pause} about a personal matter. Please call 1-800-944-8566… blah blah blah…”

I’ve always ignored the message because a) I’m not Rosella Hutchison and b) who would call back an 800 number with a cryptic message like that?

This last Saturday, I reached my last straw with the 8 a.m. calls and dialed the 800 number. I got a guy on the phone immediately and I told him that I had been receiving calls from this 800 number and I wanted to know why and what company it was. Being that I did this in a fit of rage, I don’t remember exactly what he said, but he did say, “Rosella?” To which I replied, “Yes, I don’t know who she is. This has been my phone number for the last year and that’s not me.” Then, he asked me if I’ve been receiving her mail, as if my home phone number came with my apartment.

This morning at 8:45 a.m., I received a call for “Rosella” from “Diane” of NCO Financial Services to call her back at 1-800-227-4000, ext. 3416. I decided to call the 800 number and entered in the extension. A guy picked up, and I went into the same rant about how I’m getting phone calls for someone I don’t know. Then the guy says, “Rosella?” I said again that I have no idea who this “Rosella” person is and I want my phone number removed her record, and then I realized… I’m talking to the same guy from the other number!

After I got off the phone with him, I decided to call 1-800-944-8566 again and it went directly to a woman who said, “For quality assurance purposes, your call may be monitored or recorded. This is Diane, how may I help you?” So, I hung up.

I probably haven’t heard the last of these bozos, but I have one thing to say to “Rosella Hutchison,” wherever she may be… update your records!

To find out more about who’s calling you, check out: Who Called Us

14 August 2006 – 12:00 PM