Why Do They Bother To Call???
By LadyMarissa
@LadyMarissa (12148)
United States
February 10, 2011 4:42pm CST
I have been inundated this week with out of area phone calls that a prerecorded voice says "sorry, wrong number" just as soon as I say hello. It is NOT a live person, but a prerecorded voice. I don't usually answer numbers I don't recognize, but I'm expecting an important call & I don't know the number it will be coming from so I've been answering out of fear that it's the one call I need to take!!! The call doesn't seem to have a purpose as they don't even try & sell me anything. What are these companies/people doing??? 
5 people like this
9 responses
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
11 Feb 11
There are empty calls like that here too , I really don't know what it means , and whether it poses any danger whatsoever. I did record a number once and then I found out there were quite a number of people out there getting these "calls" too. Weird but it's happening rampantly nowadays. Scary come to think of it , if I get the call again , I'll just direct it to voice-mail.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
11 Feb 11
Assuming that the responder above is correct, they are ONLY wanting to see which phone numbers are being answered & which ones aren't. Sending it to voicemail is just about the same thing as answering it as it lets them know it is an active phone number!!! They don't scare me, but do irritate the crap out of me!!!! 
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
10 Feb 11
Well this is a new one for me! Mind you, my cheater phone gives me the area code, so I never answer calls unless I recognize the number or know someone in the area code. Some people just have too much time on their hands, you know? I hope you get your call soon and the madness can be ignored.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
11 Feb 11
I, too, hope I get my call REAL SOON!!! I just BLOCKED the number from being accepted. From here on out, they won't be bothering me & they won't get my voicemail; so, maybe they will think it's a BAD number & quit calling it!!!
@zoey7879 (3092)
• Quincy, Illinois
11 Feb 11
These kinds of recordings are autodialing campaigns that are used to capture active telephone numbers... meaning that it notes whether a person/voice recording answered or a busy signal, versus whether there were disconnect tones/recordings. Active numbers are then added to their call lists or call lists that are to be sold to other persons or companies. To better avoid detection, MANY companies and individuals who are running scams have begun using VOIP programs and services.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
11 Feb 11
THANK YOU FOR THIS INFORMATION!!! I'm on the Do-Not-Call registry & I've blocked their number from being allowed to ring on my phone. So, I hope to stop them from bothering me anymore!!!! 
@picjim (3002)
• India
11 Feb 11
Its really infuriating to receive such calls especially when you are expecting important ones.Could it be some computerized calling agency who has been automatically dialing your number erroneously?If so, i endorse your view it is testing our patience to the utmost.I feel they are wasting your precious time and their money.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
11 Feb 11
If it hadn't hung up on me, I'd wasted MORE of their money!!! YES, it irritates me that they feel justified in wasting my time & then earn money selling my number to others that I didn't give my number to!!! 
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
11 Feb 11
Yikes it might be a trend as I too am getting the calls, as Oceanna says in box one it could be marketers trying to confirm validity.
Gosh you would think they do not waste a call, and I do know what you mean about answering at the wrong times, as I too do not answer odd numbered calls but it seems each time I am expecting an important unknown number call this happens.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
11 Feb 11
From the responses here, it most definitely is a trend & NOT just in the US!!!
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
11 Feb 11
When your phone rings and you answer, only to hear, "Sorry Wrong Number," You have already given your number away. The story here, this company is selling your number, but needs to know when and if you are available to answer. Now they have the information they need! They will sell your phone number as well as the time your are there, and your willingness to answer it.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
11 Feb 11
Well then, they are selling bogus information!!! I seldom answer a number I don't recognize & I wouldn't have answered today had I not been awaiting an important call!!! I'm on the Do NOT Call list & anybody calling to sell me something I've not requested info on WILL be reported to the FTC!!!!
@maharlikah (1045)
• Philippines
11 Feb 11
Unimportant phone calls are actually disgusting. But we'll just have to ignore them than be catch with wrinkles in our face.
@avir0ckerxx (3)
•
11 Feb 11
well the thing is that company's are just trying to sell their product its better not to respond to unknown numbers i never do respond to any number that i do not recognize but if an important call is to come we have to pick up all the nuisance calls too !
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
11 Feb 11
What were they trying to sell??? The computer only said "Sorry wrong number!!!"
The computer only said "Sorry wrong number!!!" 