Phone number change - will this work?

[DivorceRuinedMe]

I'm anticipating the calls coming soon. I'm a month late on my ccs and mortgage (that I am not reaffirming - the house is going to foreclosure). I think any day now the calls should start (I can't file till at least October). I am not against dealing with them, but I'd just rather not have the added stress. I have enough stress right now with a pain in the butt ex husband, two babies to take care of, normal work stress and living apart from my new husband during the week. I really don't need the calls to aggravate me too.

I have come up with a strategy to change my phone number and I don't think that they will be able to find me this way. Someone tell me if you can think of how they could locate my new number if I change it this way.

I plan to have my new husband open up a cell account (he's currently on a plan with a family member. I am on my own plan right now.) I plan to become the added line on his plan and get a new phone number. Our last names are still different (I haven't changed my name to his yet). I haven't even changed my address to our new house yet as I'm not living there yet - I'm still living about an hour and a half away with family until my job transfer comes through.

Do you think the skip tracers would be able to find me this way? The ONLY way I think they could find me is if they contact my nasty ex and he gives them the number. And I have to give him the new number b/c we have two kids together.

What do you think? Is this a semi-good plan?

[DeadManCrawling]

It's worth a shot.

But, I assume all creditors can easily locate your nasty ex. Assuming that's the case, I imagine he would LOVE to help them find you-just to aggravate you.

At least with a cell phone you can see the "out of area" message or "blocked caller" and just not answer.

Either way though, it's better than being "wide open" like before.

Also, I would not let the ex know about this concern, either way. If you mention it to him, and ask him NOT to give out your number, he might do it just to be an ass. If he doesn't know it's your planned method of escape, he may just tell any creditor who calls to piss off and hang up on em, without giving your new number.

[Granny]

There was a thread not long ago that I started where I suggested getting a second number with a personalized ring for the home phone.

http://www.bankruptcyforum.com/showthread.php?t=12785&highlight=personalized+ring

This is not a second line, it's a second number and it costs only 5.00 per month. The creditors call your old number and you only answer the personalized ring. The second number is not listed and the skip tracers have no reason to look for another number because they have a valid number.

[DivorceRuinedMe]

There was a thread not long ago that I responded to not long ago where I suggested getting a second number with a personalized ring for the home phone.

http://www.bankruptcyforum.com/showthread.php?t=12785&highlight=personalized+ring

This is not a second line, it's a second number and it costs only 5.00 per month. The creditors call your old number and you only answer the personalized ring. The second number is not listed and the skip tracers have no reason to look for another number because they have a valid number.

Thanks Granny but I don't have a home phone. Wonder if I could do this with a cell phone? I'm just trying to avoid having to look at the cell phone every 5 minutes when it's going off when I'm at work. I'm a nervous person as it is and I would go nuts with my phone vibrating all the time. I know I can put personalized rings on the cell so maybe I should just do that. I just want to avoid the calls all together - LOL. Wishful thinking, huh?!

[lostinmich]

Do you have high speed internet? If so, a VOIP phone like Vonage works great!! Using Skype works even better when calling people as the caller id system doesn't work so they can't get your number.

[Liaah]

I don't know

about changing your number. I have read on here that some did that but were found anyway.

What I have done so far is just shut my ringer off. We are a month late on all of our bills except house, car, utilities... I have voice mail, but no one leaves any messages?? Occasionally, I will go see who called and delete them off the ID and call anyone back such as family or friends. So far this is working for me. I like having a voice mail so the creditors know that they are getting my number but just aren't talking to me. I am hoping this will keep them from calling my husband at work or my family. So far so good, but the calling really has just started.

Goodluck!

[CATCHMEIFYOUCAN]

Im one to change my number 2-3 times a year, just because. When I use to access my accounts on line I never updated from the old to the new, so I never got any creditor calls, whatsoever. BUT I also was able to keep them at bay by keeping up my minimums if not close to them until the day I decided to file. I did however get the "friendly reminder," letters though.