Ways to stop annoying calls

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Consumer Connection has found another loop hole in the Do Not Call law that could leave consumers open to annoying call after annoying call.

"This is not a sales call," said the voice on Gloria Phillip's answering machine. The message went on to say, "I'm a debt collector with Progressive Financial Services. This has been an attempt to collect a debt."

Gloria says she gets dozens and dozens of calls like this a day. She added, “It is very irritating.”

Irritating because the company is calling the wrong number. Gloria says she doesn't have any unpaid bills and her number is also registered on the Do Not Call list.

"We know that it didn't belong to us and we thought it happened once, and after the second time and the calls kept coming five and six times a day, they fill up our answering machine," she explained.

"I actually got a hold of a live person one night, told her to quit calling the number and leave us alone. That didn't work either," Gloria added. It turns out the Do Not Call Registry is of no help because debt collectors are exempt.

Gloria said, "Maybe with your coverage, the attorney general, maybe something can be done."

Now something is being done. The state attorney general has sent a letter to the company to stop the calls. Another option for consumers in this fix is to complain to the Federal Trade Commission, because under the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, debt collectors are not allowed to harass consumers on the phone, even if they have the right person.

Click here to learn more about what Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.

To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).