receiving collection calls for someone else

[Mrowka]

What is the name of your state? NY

For the last 2 months my father has been receiving calls (always a recording, never a live person) asking him to call back regarding an "important matter". He finally asked me to call and find out what it was about. It turned out to be a collection agency that recently bought a credit card debt of my ex-brother-in-law, who must have given my father's phone number when he applied for credit. I told this to the person I spoke to, but apparently they didn't believe me. I probably shoudn't have called them at all since now they leave messages every 2-3 days threatening legal action.
I know they can't do anything to me or my father, but he is very upset with those messages. I asked them to stop calling but they ignore me.
My question is if there is anything we can do to stop the phone calls (short of changing the phone number, which is not a good solution for a couple of reasons).

 

[Veronica1228]

What is the name of your state? NY

For the last 2 months my father has been receiving calls (always a recording, never a live person) asking him to call back regarding an "important matter". He finally asked me to call and find out what it was about. It turned out to be a collection agency that recently bought a credit card debt of my ex-brother-in-law, who must have given my father's phone number when he applied for credit. I told this to the person I spoke to, but apparently they didn't believe me. I probably shoudn't have called them at all since now they leave messages every 2-3 days threatening legal action.
I know they can't do anything to me or my father, but he is very upset with those messages. I asked them to stop calling but they ignore me.
My question is if there is anything we can do to stop the phone calls (short of changing the phone number, which is not a good solution for a couple of reasons).

Send them a Cease and Desist letter telling them to stop calling you. Send the letter Certificed RRR so you will have proof that they received it. Below is a link where you can get more info and sample letters.

http://www.creditinfocenter.com/creditreports/

 

[ma2va2fl]

Yes there is something you can do

You can threaten to sue them for harrassment. Each collection that has an autodialer also has an internal do not call list. Demand that they add your number to this list or you will sue.

 

[Veronica1228]

You can threaten to sue them for harrassment. Each collection that has an autodialer also has an internal do not call list. Demand that they add your number to this list or you will sue.

That is the purpose of the C&D letter.