This Man Got Fed Up With Wrong Number Calls, Started To Act Like A Receptionist, Causing Chaos

A few years ago, we wrote about a quirky internet trend where people were texting their “number neighbors” — those whose phone numbers differ from theirs by just one digit. It was a fun way to connect with strangers and see what kind of unexpected replies might pop up.

But sometimes, having a number neighbor isn’t that nice. Reddit user Zerothreeonethree shared a story on r/MaliciousCompliance about how a small local business got stuck with answering a never-ending barrage of calls that were actually meant for the new doctor’s office.

What started as a minor annoyance quickly turned into something completely unbearable.

When you have your own business, there’s never enough time for everything that needs your attention

Man working at computer in home office reacting to calls meant for doctor by booking appointments online.

Image credits: Kit / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

And when your phone won’t stop ringing, there’s even less

Man receives calls meant for doctor, won’t change number, starts booking appointments due to phone mix-up.

Man keeps getting calls meant for doctor, refuses to change number, begins booking appointments himself.

Man receiving calls meant for a doctor, refusing to change number, then booking appointments in response.

Man keeps receiving calls meant for doctor and starts booking appointments after not changing his phone number.

Man talking on a corded phone, dealing with calls meant for a doctor, starting to book appointments instead.

Image credits: A F / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Man keeps getting calls meant for doctor and starts booking appointments as he won’t change his number.

Man receiving calls meant for doctor, starts booking appointments as doctor refuses to change phone number.

Man kept getting calls meant for doctor, refuses to change number, and starts booking appointments instead.

Man in white coat and glasses with arms crossed, representing doctor receiving calls meant for another person.

Image credits: RDNE Stock project / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Text excerpt about a man receiving calls meant for a doctor who won’t change his number due to high costs.

Text on white background showing a conversation about a man receiving calls meant for a doctor and booking appointments.

Man answering calls meant for doctor, booking medical appointments despite not being a doctor, managing patient inquiries.

Man on phone laughing while holding a coffee mug, dealing with calls meant for a doctor in office setting.

Image credits: RDNE Stock project / Pexels (not the actual photo)

Man receiving calls meant for doctor, deciding to book appointments due to number mix-up and persistent calls.

Man receiving calls meant for doctor, booking appointments for callers without changing his phone number.

Text excerpt about a man receiving calls meant for a doctor who won’t change his number and starts booking appointments.

Image credits: zerothreeonethree

Image credits: Yan Krukau / Pexels (not the actual photo)

People still talk to businesses over the phone, but only when they know who is on the other line

The fact that the doctor eventually gave in and agreed to change his number was definitely a net positive for both parties.

To this day, nearly eight out of ten consumers believe phone calls are important for communicating with businesses, according to a survey from TransUnion.

“A wide range of customer needs can be addressed through digital channels; however, calls to consumers remain essential, especially for complex or urgent issues,” said James Garvert, senior vice president of TruContact™ Communications Solutions at TransUnion.

But there’s a new issue: rampant fraud—increasingly aided by AI and deepfakes—has compromised the integrity of the phone channel and is leaving some consumers reluctant to engage on one.

Overall, 70% of respondents indicated they had received at least one call in the past three months in which the caller pretended to be someone else. As a result, 74% say they do not answer calls from unknown numbers out of fear they might be scams.

The solution that consumers responded to most was branded calling that verifies the company calling and shows its name and logo.

Three-quarters of consumers said branded calls would improve the situation. Nearly the same number (73%) said they would be more likely to answer calls—and view the company more favorably—if a business displayed its name and logo on calls.

“Authenticated branded calling is a win-win. Consumers are telling us they’re more likely to trust and engage with companies that identify themselves by adding context to the mobile display, including name, number, logo, and reason for the call,” said Garvert.

“And our business customers who implement branded calling report increased customer engagement, improved customer satisfaction, and increased revenues as a result.”

As the story went viral, it’s author joined the discussion in the comments

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation about a man receiving calls meant for a doctor and booking appointments instead.

Comments discussing a man receiving calls meant for a doctor who won’t change his number and books appointments instead

Screenshot of a forum discussion about a man getting calls meant for a doctor who won’t change his number.

Reddit conversation about a man getting calls meant for a doctor who won’t change his number and books appointments.

Man receives calls meant for doctor, refuses to change number, and starts booking appointments in response.

People were impressed by the dad’s response

Comment discussing mistaken phone calls due to wrong number dialing related to man receiving calls meant for doctor.

Screenshot of an online comment thread about a man getting calls meant for a doctor and booking appointments.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment saying Classic. Make it their problem, related to calls meant for doctor.

Reddit conversation where user jokes about someone getting unexpected calls meant for a doctor and responding cleverly.

Screenshot of an online discussion about a man getting calls meant for a doctor and booking appointments instead.

Man keeps getting calls meant for doctor and starts booking appointments instead of changing his number.

Some said they also went through similar things

Man keeps getting calls meant for doctor, refuses to change number and starts booking appointments instead

Reddit user shares story about mistaken calls meant for doctor, leading to unexpected appointment bookings.

Screenshot of Reddit comments discussing phone number mix-ups with doctors and misdirected calls humorously handled by the owner.

Text conversation about man receiving calls meant for a doctor and booking appointments without changing his number.

Screenshot of a Reddit discussion about phone numbers and prank calls relating to doctors and appointments.

Reddit user shares story about man getting calls meant for doctor and booking fake appointments.

Man frustrated by calls meant for doctor books appointments after doctor refuses to change phone number.

Man keeps getting calls meant for doctor, refuses to change number, starts booking appointments instead.

Man keeps getting calls meant for doctor, refuses to change number, and starts booking appointments in response.

Screenshot of a Reddit conversation about a man booking appointments after getting calls meant for a doctor who won’t change number.

Text conversation about receiving calls meant for a doctor and how one man starts booking appointments.

Reddit conversation about man receiving calls meant for doctor and starting to book appointments with the wrong number.

Man shares story about receiving calls meant for doctor and booking appointments instead of changing number.

Man keeps getting calls meant for doctor, won’t change number, so he starts booking appointments to handle calls.

Poll Question

Total votes ·

Thanks! Check out the results:

Total votes ·

Newsletter

Subscribe to Access
Exclusive Polls

Subscribe

By entering your email and clicking Subscribe, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Privacy Policy.

Thank you! You've successfully subscribed to newsletters!

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!

Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda!