harrassment from creditors because number is used | Technical service details | Consumer forum

I bought this phone to aid me in a move...I got a north bay telephone number and here comes the trouble.
I keep getting calls from various collection agencies for whoever had the number last.
So far it has costed me at least 5 bucks calling them back and trying to convince them I am not this guy and stop calling my cell phone.
I do not wish to change my number because of the same thing will happen again.
I talked to a rep and they told me all the numbers are recycled....which you are not told up front...