Wrong-number robocalls that won't quit

Why you're getting them

Carriers reassign disconnected numbers to new customers. Any company that had the previous owner on an automated calling list — collectors, marketers, appointment reminders, political dialers — keeps hitting the same number. Their systems don't know you exist.

Signs the call is illegal under the TCPA

• It starts with a recording or an obvious pause before a live agent.
• The caller ID is a spoofed number, an 800/888/855 line, or "Unknown."
• You never gave the company your number or consent to be called.
• They keep calling after you asked them to stop.
• They're calling your cell phone with an auto-dialer.

What each call can be worth

The TCPA allows $500 per violating call, up to $1,500 for willful or knowing violations. When multiple companies are calling the same recycled number for months, statutory damages add up quickly.

What to do

1. Log every call: date, time, number, who they ask for, recording or not.
2. Don't confirm you're the previous owner.
3. Ask them to stop calling and note the date you asked.
4. Save voicemails and screenshots.
5. Check whether your calls may qualify — it's free.

Related: How to stop robocalls · TCPA robocall lawsuits · Your TCPA rights.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I get robocalls asking for a stranger?

You almost certainly inherited a recycled phone number. Every company that had the previous owner on an automated dialer keeps calling — collectors, marketers, appointment reminders, political dialers — because their systems don't know the number changed hands.

How do I know if a call is actually a robocall under the TCPA?

Signs include a recording or artificial voice, an obvious pause before a live agent connects, a spoofed or toll-free caller ID, and calls placed to your cell phone without your consent. Auto-dialed calls to a cell without consent are the core of a TCPA claim.

Does telling them to stop actually matter?

Yes — legally and evidentially. Calls that continue after you clearly asked them to stop can qualify as willful violations, which raises damages up to $1,500 per call. Write down every time you asked and every call that came after.

How much is a wrong-number robocall worth?

$500 per violating call, up to $1,500 for willful or knowing violations. Because damages stack across every call and every caller, a recycled number that has been hammered for months can add up to substantial compensation.

What if I don't have call recordings?

You don't need recordings. Your call log, voicemails, screenshots, and a simple written log of dates, times, and what the caller said are usually enough to start an eligibility review.