Spam calls and text, Verizon support very little help

[ImReadyToSwitch]

On Monday, Nov. 12, 2012, I received endless spam calls from telephone numbers all over the country. Most were silent lines that would hang up once I answered the phone. This repeated every few minutes for multiple hours. I then started receiving legitimate calls from local people who were ticked off and asking why I had called them, which I did not do. Apparently, my number had either been stolen or spoofed.

I called Verizon support, was put on hold several times, and was told very little. The support tech's only answer was, "Wow, this is weird." Ultimately, he decided the only thing left to do was delete the number and issue me a new one. Keep in mind this was my business's primary number that I've held for many years now and never once had a spam problem. Now I'm faced with spending far too many hours updating the number in all of my accounts, reprinting business cards, and so on.

Tonight, I received a spam text message stating that I had one some price and I should enter the code at bbyouwon.com. Again, I have never, ever received spam text or calls until now.

First, I would like to know if others have had a similar recent experience with Verizon. I have not given my new number to anyone yet, which leads me to believe this is a Verizon security breach. I'd also like to know why support was so vague in their answers and why the only option was for me to start over with a new number. Secondly, why on earth can I not contact Verizon by e-mail? It's 2012, people. Let's get with the times.

I would really appreciate it if a Verizon rep would personally contact me. At this point, I have no reason not to bring my business to another carrier.

[tikibar1]

This is a peer-to-peer forum; Verizon reps occasionally pop in, but not that often.  And yes, you can e-mail Verizon by going to the Contact Us link at the top of the page and then choosing Get in Touch.  The e-mail option is on the left-hand side of the page after scrolling down a bit.

I receive the occasional spam text; I just delete them and go on.  And if I don't recognize a caller, I don't answer the phone (I realize that may not be an option if you are using your phone for business purposes).  I understand that call spoofing happens, but I haven't seen it discussed much on this forum.

[Ann154]

You can forward Spam text messages to 7726 (SPAM) for Verizon Wireless to know about it. When they receive the message they will reply back asking for the phone numbers of where it message came

[ImReadyToSwitch]

Did they remove the email option? I followed your instructions but there is no email address, just a handful of phone numbers and a chat button.

I'm now receiving daily calls from debt collectors looking for the previous owner of my "new" phone number. Absolutely absurd, what a terrible Verizon experience.

[commonsense101]

Do you call the post office when you get credit card applications in the mail?

[#6]

Change your number.

[tikibar1]

ImReadyToSwitch wrote:

Did they remove the email option? I followed your instructions but there is no email address, just a handful of phone numbers and a chat button.

I'm now receiving daily calls from debt collectors looking for the previous owner of my "new" phone number. Absolutely absurd, what a terrible Verizon experience.

Yes, the e-mail option was removed a month or two ago; there is a chat option in its place.

[missmarypotter]

Thank you for this. Appreciated.

-M