🚀 go-pugleaf

It surprises me to receive out-of-state calls on my cell phone 
because I do not actively promote that particular number 
anywhere -- but mistakes can happen, especially with the 
proliferation of new area codes.

I received a call at 10:30 am, 12/17/08 and saw an area code of 
422 displayed. I was unfamiliar with that particular area code 
and chose to let the call go to voice mail. Ed Harris 
apparently decided I was worthy of leaving a message.

"This is Ed Harris and I'm calling this number because... 
<sigh> I am checking up on references from a friend... <sigh> 
or family member. Please reference code H137<sigh>B28-Z and 
contact us at 866-808-7284. I... <sigh> look forward to hearing 
from you about this friend or family member. <sigh>"

Poor Ed's overworked and hating life.

I love a mystery so let me find out about that area code first.

Reverse lookup shows there is no such area code.

Hmm.

I remember reading an article about telemarketers and forged 
area codes. Let's see if Yahoo will urp it up. Nope; nothing.

Not a problem. I'll reverse lookup the 866 number.

Pages and pages of information are made available -- if I want 
to pay for it (but being the miserly sort, I don't want that) 
so I plug it directly into Google. Immediately up pops 
"Premiere Credit of North America, LLC."

Wow! Lookitthat!

Further search reveals a very nice site:
    http://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-866-808-7284

Alfalfa posted:
"'Premiere Credit is a trendsetting leader in the debt recovery 
industry. Our mission is to deliver the highest level of 
customer service and collection success that exceeds the 
expectations of our clients. We treat borrowers with dignity 
and require our staff to adhere to strict ethical and 
professional standards, while achieving results.guaranteed!'

"They do collections on defaulted student loans for the 
government:

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DCS/collection.agencies.html

"Their website features sharks swimming in a tank....."

When I popped the 422-based number into google, it would appear 
another person within the SFBA received a similar call.

I called the 866 number to ask to be placed on the Do Not Call 
list.

John, the type found in Joyzee (Da Gahrduhn Schtate), answered 
and immediately berated me for being a deadbeat.

I am many things but a deadbeat? Whodathunkit?

"John. John. <sigh> Are you don't yelling? Place me on the do 
not call list immediately. No. Repeat it, please, John. Yes. 
Thank you. Love and kisses back."

I immediately put it from my thoughts when my cell went off 
again. Check the phone display and see 253 as an area code. 
Seconds later, it rings again an area code of 989 is displayed. 
My cell phone went off six times; six different area codes.

I figure complaints to the AGs of Illinois and CA work better 
than verbally accosting such a lackwit, I'm ahead of the game.

The Ranger