WWYD?

LarissaAnn

A client called me at 7:15 this morning on my cell. My workday starts at 9, maybe 8:30. And I never, EVER give clients my cell number. This is my personal cell, a number I've had for over 10 years, not a work phone. And this particular client, in the midst of a custody battle, is insane. I have a feeling he got it from my adversary, the ex-wife's attorney. The other day he asked our receptionist for it and she said no. But he said something in the voicemail about texting the other attorney, so I'm pretty sure that's where he got it. Sorry if this doesn't make sense, I'm fuming. I haven't responded. I'm debating between (1) telling the client that he is NEVER to call my cell aga8n because if I'm forced to change the number I will hunt him down and kill him, then telling my adversary the same thing, or (2) pretending I never got the message and playing it like the client doesn't have the right cell number for me. Whatcha think?

iheartcutepuppies

No, you need to address that. Ignoring the behavior will only allow for him to call you again. Stop it from happening again.

I would definitely call them back, from your work phone number, and tell them this is the only way they should be reaching you.

Call the adversary and say something along the lines of "person x somehow got a hold of my personal cell. There are only a few ways this could ever happen. If you were the person to provide my cell to them, it's not acceptable, and DO not ever do that again, this is my personal cell, bla bla bla"

LarissaAnn

Maybe you're right. I'm just worried that if I confirm for him that it 's really my number, he'd be calling me no matter what I say. He's nuts, for real. This is a guy who calls the court directly even though he's represented and has been told they're not allowed to talk to him. He camps out in front of the door to the judge's chambers waiting to catch her in the hallway, after we told him he's not allowed and that she can't talk to him anyway. Keep in mind, if I play dumb, I WILL outright lie to him and tell him he doesn't have my cell number. If he asks about it.

iheartcutepuppies

Are you prepared to constantly ignore calls if you don't address it?

LarissaAnn

Honestly, either way I have a bad feeling I'll end up having to change my cell number.

LarissaAnn

You're right, though. Ugh, why the psycho?

burkems

Jackie said exactly what I was going to say. He is going to track down your number no matter what, since he obviously jumped over a few road blocks in the first place, so you might as well just tell him (and the adversary) to knock it the eff off.

LarissaAnn

You're right, you're right. Next he'll get my home number (which is why I never tell clients where I live). But if I need to be bailed out, I'm calling you chicks.

justrachet

Do you have an ignore list on your cell phone? There's an old lady who is convinced my phone number is Becky's, and no matter how many times I answer her calls and tell her she's got the wrong number, she keeps calling back. I put her phone number on the ignore list so now my phone sends her straight to voicemail. There are also a few 800 numbers on the ignore list. It makes life so peaceful. 

LarissaAnn

justrachet:

Do you have an ignore list on your cell phone? There's an old lady who is convinced my phone number is Becky's, and no matter how many times I answer her calls and tell her she's got the wrong number, she keeps calling back. I put her phone number on the ignore list so now my phone sends her straight to voicemail. There are also a few 800 numbers on the ignore list. It makes life so peaceful. 

Huh, not sure. I've just left him a message, though.

LarissaAnn

justrachet:

Do you have an ignore list on your cell phone? There's an old lady who is convinced my phone number is Becky's, and no matter how many times I answer her calls and tell her she's got the wrong number, she keeps calling back. I put her phone number on the ignore list so now my phone sends her straight to voicemail. There are also a few 800 numbers on the ignore list. It makes life so peaceful. 

Huh, not sure. I've just left him a message, though.

Cutiepie811

I agree. You should address the situation with him and your adversary. But by the sound of things, this guy isn't going to go sway so easily. Ughh. Maybe you can do what Rachel said and put him on the do not call list. I hope u get this talk care of real soon!

LarissaAnn

Sorry I didn't update.

I talked to the client, and he said the cops actually got my cell number when he was there this morning.  The exchange of the parties' son for parenting time takes place sometimes at the police station in Long Island (like this morning) and sometimes in NJ.  My client got out there and the mother was an hour late bringing the kid.  My client was freaking out, so the cops got my number from some law-enforcement-corrollary to 411 and dialed it - and patched him in.  So allegedly he doesn't have the number.

And he apologized a lot.  He really did sound sorry, so I hope this is the end of it.  I did emphasize that I will NOT take client calls on the phone, so if he tries it, it'd be utterly useless anyway.