Verizon phone number.

[Chuckcell]

Did Verizon give out my cell number?
Since I got this Pixel I've see "Spam" calls, at least weekly. I don't recall agreeing to let Verizon release my number. How did this occur and is there a remedy?

 

[fludkilla]

TBH Im not too sure. I have VZW as well and I do get stupid phone calls a couple of times a week. Some other carriers are worse. Anything is possible though.

 

[can3gxw]

How long have you had your number? Maybe it was a "well known" number that someone else had before you. I know that when I changed numbers (I moved) a few years back, I started getting an obscene amount of spam calls. I even got a ton late night calls asking for the same person (not me). I called my carrier, told them to give me a new number. The calls stopped. Completely.

 

[Chuckcell]

I've had this Verizon number 3 months this week. Previous AT&T account didn't have near as many Spam calls. One today, another 2 yesterday.

 

[rxgadget]

I've had this Verizon number 3 months this week. Previous AT&T account didn't have near as many Spam calls. One today, another 2 yesterday.

Same or new phone number?

 

[Lilybell2]

The number of spam calls has increased. It's become a scourge, and it's getting worse all the time.

 

[Chuckcell]

New number

 

[L0n3N1nja]

New number

It's probably the number, not Verizon. Phone numbers get recycled and given to new customers after they've been inactive for a certain length of time. Previous owner of that number could of signed up for a bunch of dumb stuff and became the victim of spam.

Ultimately the government controls area codes and prefixes, Verizon and the other carriers can't just create new numbers, they get picked from what's available. I used to work for Verizon, so I'm not just making this up.

You can go to donotcall.gov and register your number, it stops most telemarketers from calling.

 

[can3gxw]

Your only recourse may be to call Verizon and tell them you want a new phone number because your phone won't stop ringing from SPAM calls. They will resist (most carriers will), so be persistent but polite. Ask to speak to a supervisor if the CSR won't change your number. If that doesn't work, try going to the customer loyalty department or making a post on their social media page.

I have no clue if Verizon will respond to any of that, I'm just speaking from my own experience with my telco here Canada. It won't hurt to try. Your problems are because the number that you have now is "all over the place" on every company's calling list.

The DO NOT CALL list doesn't work because one of the loopholes states that it's not illegal because the company just has to prove that they had a previous relationship with you/your number, or that "you" requested to be called.

 

[anon(10274434)]

"donotcall" does a pretty good job of blocking calls. I'm on Verizon and I may go a week without any calls then get 3-4-5 within a 6 hour period. (the "block this number" feature on the PIxel is my new best friend).

My number is ABC-DEF-XXXX, I get calls from ABC-DEF-???? with various combinations for the last 4 digits.

I would GUESS the spam callers have computer programs capable of generating numbers and calling them at random.


ETA - @can3gxw - I can go to my Verizon account online and change my number, assume others can too.

 

[Almeuit]

Verizon sells the info to 3rd parties by default. You can turn some of it off via your account under profile or privacy settings.

 

[gozirra]

They have always sold your info. Here's a 5 year old article on cnet about it.

https://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-draws-fire-for-monitoring-app-usage-browsing-habits/

 

[anon(10274434)]

It seems to me that all wireless and ISPs behave in a manner that is highly questionable.

 

[Chuckcell]

Two things. 1 - I think I could live without the internet or cell phones. 2 - news today says present administration is loosening controls on everyone's privacy settings so _more_ personal data can be gathered and sold.
I did not vote for "them" and the $$-ocracy has "people" to keep their lives private.
I see worse times coming.

 

[Chuckcell]

Going to look at Verizon privacy settings next.

 

[Almeuit]

Going to look at Verizon privacy settings next.

Yeah go here -- https://ebillpay.verizonwireless.com/vzw/secure/setPrivacy.action.

I turned all that off for all my lines.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

Your only recourse may be to call Verizon and tell them you want a new phone number because your phone won't stop ringing from SPAM calls. They will resist (most carriers will), so be persistent but polite. Ask to speak to a supervisor if the CSR won't change your number. If that doesn't work, try going to the customer loyalty department or making a post on their social media page.

I have no clue if Verizon will respond to any of that, I'm just speaking from my own experience with my telco here Canada. It won't hurt to try. Your problems are because the number that you have now is "all over the place" on every company's calling list.

The DO NOT CALL list doesn't work because one of the loopholes states that it's not illegal because the company just has to prove that they had a previous relationship with you/your number, or that "you" requested to be called.

Verizon actually let's you change your number over their automated system or on their website by logging into your account. Customer service will do it as well without much fuss.

 

[thunderup]

Changing your number, however, probably won't stop the spam calls. I just went through this a couple months ago. The first time I changed my Verizon number I was assigned one that, come to find out, was listed on a bunch of escort service websites. Got lots of interesting texts and voicemails with that one. Changed it again and didn't have any spam calls for a couple weeks, but they soon started up again and I get almost 1 per day on average. I didn't change my original number because of spam calls, but I got them with the old one and still get them with the new one. My one piece of advice if you do change your number - Google it before giving it out to anyone to make sure it isn't associated with any "adult" sites. If it is you can just change it again right away before going through the hassle of notifying everyone about your new number and having to explain why you changed it multiple times.

And as others have pointed out, it's very easy to change yourself on their website.

 

[can3gxw]

My one piece of advice if you do change your number - Google it before giving it out to anyone.

And as others have pointed out, it's very easy to change yourself on their website.

When you ask for a new number on the website, are you presented with a list to choose from? Maybe this is the route to go. I know when I changed my number before the CSR gave me three options to pick from. If you get a list of numbers "pick from these or click more..." maybe do what thunderup suggests - Google the number before you say "accept this one". That might help...

 

[thunderup]

When you ask for a new number on the website, are you presented with a list to choose from? Maybe this is the route to go. I know when I changed my number before the CSR gave me three options to pick from. If you get a list of numbers "pick from these or click more..." maybe do what thunderup suggests - Google the number before you say "accept this one". That might help...

You're given the choice of area code and the first 3 numbers after the area code, but you don't get to pick the last 4 numbers.