Google Voice, what the hell?

[Shojin]

I've been using Google Voice pretty heavily for the past year and have been using the same number. Today I notice someone is replying to my SMS texts that isn't me, and whenever the person responds it says (RE: ) before the actual message. So I send a text to myself (the google voice number) and I get the text, and then I get a reply from this other person.

Apparently they just got the number today from their phone company. How the fuck does this happen? It's not like I just got the new google number, I've been using it for a long time and am up to the point where everyone I know that needs to contact me, uses my google voice number instead of my home/cell. Plus I have calling credit for international calls on this numbers account.

Has this ever happened to anyone else here? I guess my only options are to either ask Google to change my account for free (they usually charge to change numbers) or try and persuade this other person (who, from their SMS texts, sounds like a complete dickhead btw) to change their number. And I'd rather not go through the hassle of having to get used to a new number and have everyone I know change to the new number. Jesus fucking christ.

[Caiyuo]

Have you spoken to Google about this at all? It seems like something they would handle for you, I can't imagine them charging you for a change if that's how it's resolved as it isn't an issue of preference. Either they or a carrier legitimately fucked up and assigned an allocated number, which is obvious, so again I don't see why you'd be the one to foot the bill. Good luck either way.

[Shojin]

The thing is, I'd rather not change numbers if there is anything I can do about it. Business contacts, friends, family etc. all have my Google Voice number as a way of contacting me and it's been like that for over a year. I'm either at the mercy of this guy going out of his way to contact his phone provider to change his number, or just changing my google number, but then who's to say this shit won't happen again? Just didn't expect something like this over a year of using it, lol.

[Kohan]

If you haven't contacted Google yet, there's no point in posting here about it. Contact them and share your predicament. No one here will be able to divine the answer for you, so stop being a pussy and talk to them.

I'd suggest posting again after you've heard what they have to say -- if they don't resolve it, that is.

EDIT: Also, if they say they're going to fix it for you, I suggest sending the dickhead some shitty messages before it's repaired. If Google can't fix it, tell him he's going to continuously receive messages from your family and business contacts because his phone company fucked it up. Essentially, make him feel like they're the bad guys, not you.

Might motivate his ass to go bitch at them and get his own number changed.

[Shojin]

If you haven't contacted Google yet, there's no point in posting here about it. Contact them and share your predicament. No one here will be able to divine the answer for you, so stop being a pussy and talk to them.

I'd suggest posting again after you've heard what they have to say -- if they don't resolve it, that is.

EDIT: Also, if they say they're going to fix it for you, I suggest sending the dickhead some shitty messages before it's repaired. If Google can't fix it, tell him he's going to continuously receive messages from your family and business contacts because his phone company fucked it up. Essentially, make him feel like they're the bad guys, not you.

Might motivate his ass to go bitch at them and get his own number changed.

I was going to give it a day to see if he decides to go get it changed. I would have called Google or emailed them but apparently they don't let you do that, they only offer guides on the google voice site, or you post in the help forum and other users try to help you out, and maybe a google employee will see it. Although, I'm pretty sure the best they would be able to do for me is change my Google number and drop the charge. I just found it really fucking strange and was wondering if this has happened to any other google voice users on BG.