Encore calls every 15 minutes. The numbers that show on my ID caller are not real phone numbers. It is an "computer automated calling machine" .. if you answer, they thank YOU for contacting THEM, and then wait (until an operator/collector) come on the line. Only then do you know which debt they are trying to collect on.
GE Money Bank uses them. I missed my payment on March 20th .. by March 22nd I started getting these weird calls all day long. Mervyn's stores went out of business, I've paid down my debt quite a bit....until I lost my job. They don't care, said I should have contacted them before the payment was due. TRUE! But still.... why do they HIDE with bogus phone numbers that show they are from Puerto Rico, Mississippi, Kansas, Missouri, and a 555-555-5555 number? Since I am on a "Do Not Call" list, I don't answer them. I only did out of curiosity... that's when I found out who they were.
Banks and Credit Card companies are getting a big bail-out .. however, they do not extend the courtesy to work with most consumers!