Hi Judy,

How terrible for you that you have to put up with this. I wish I could give you good news, but I bet the family has given the various organizations their new number only for those organizations to call and get a recording that the number is disconnected or no longer in service. If the family is not doing well financially like you mentioned, their new number is probably turned off more than on. So, in order to get their money or a response the company goes back to your number. I know this because for years I have received my in-laws calls for similar reasons.

My suggestion is to write down the various businesses that call and kindly but firmly tell them, "They are no longer available at this number. I do not know them or have any type of contact with them. If your business continues to call for them at this number you will be refereed to the Federal Trade Commission. Please remove this number from your information." I believe that is the gov. group that oversees the "do not call list" and if businesses are harassing or call before or after a certain time of day.

I still receive calls every now and then from creditors for my in-laws; however, it is not as bad as it once was. It is funny how quick they are to apologize when you mention the FTC.

If this doesn't work, I think you might have to change your number just for your own sanity.

Good Luck!