His phone buzzed constantly – collectors chasing debts that weren’t his. Why? His ex-roommate, bitter after moving out, gave out his number for revenge. Sick of explaining, he got clever.
Each call, he calmly said, “I’m not paying this debt.” Short, truthful, and it stopped them cold. The annoying calls became a game, and soon they tapered off. He chuckled, picturing his ex-roommate’s plan crumbling.
What started as a frustrating mess turned into a satisfying tale of petty revenge done right. Was he just dodging hassle, or did he outsmart his ex with a simple, brilliant move?

Petty Revenge or Justified Jab? Here’s The Original Post:










The Perfect Comeback to Endless Calls
For weeks, collectors rang nonstop, different voices, different companies, all chasing money that wasn’t his. Each time, he tried explaining that they had the wrong person, but the calls kept coming.
So, instead of wasting time arguing, he decided to play it cool. His calm but sharp line – “I have zero intention of paying this debt” -left them speechless. After all, he wasn’t lying; the debt wasn’t his to pay.
Some people might have ignored the calls or blocked the numbers, but this man’s approach hit differently.
A Petty Ex-Roommate’s Revenge Gone Wrong
The whole problem started when his ex-roommate, apparently angry about a disagreement, began listing his number on loan and credit forms.
Soon after, the collectors began calling. Instead of feeling embarrassed, the man found humor in it.
The ex-roommate was the one with the debt, the bad credit, and the collectors breathing down his neck, not him.
According to financial experts, giving out someone else’s contact information to avoid debt collectors can actually make things worse for the debtor.
In this case, the roommate’s petty act didn’t hurt the man at all. It only made them look foolish.
Why His Approach Worked
Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), collectors are required to stop contacting someone if they confirm they’re not the debtor.
By calmly stating he had “no intention of paying,” the man made it clear he wasn’t the one responsible. Once collectors realized that, they began removing his number from their lists.
Consumer advocate Clark Howard explained in Consumer Reports (2024), “If collectors reach you by mistake, tell them clearly you’re not the debtor and ask to be removed from contact lists.
If they continue, you can file a formal complaint.” That’s exactly what this man did, minus the paperwork.
Turning Annoyance Into Amusement
Instead of losing sleep over the calls, he turned the situation into a running joke with friends.
Whenever the phone rang, someone would tease, “Guess your ex is applying for another loan.” What once was a source of stress became a story he could laugh about.
This story also shines a light on how common wrong-number debt collection calls are.
A 2023 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report found that 1 in 5 Americans has received a debt collection call meant for someone else.
Most of these errors come from outdated contact lists or false information provided by the debtor, just like what happened here.
Experts Say: Stay Calm, Stay Smart
Financial expert Sara Rathner from NerdWallet advises, “Don’t panic if collectors call about someone else’s debt. Just stay calm, be clear, and document the calls.”
This man followed that rule perfectly. He didn’t argue, didn’t get angry, he just used one sharp line that made the collectors stop wasting his time.
Some readers even joked that he should start redirecting collectors straight to his ex-roommate’s workplace or social media. But he preferred keeping it classy.
His mix of patience, humor, and confidence made him the real winner in this petty battle.
Check out how the community responded:
Many praised his cleverness, saying they wished they’d thought of something similar when they got wrong-number calls.
![When a Bitter Ex-Roommate Gave Out Their Number to Debt Collectors, This Person Found the Perfect Comeback [Reddit User] − check county website to see if they filed claims.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/wp-editor-1761037739239-11.webp)




Others called out the ex-roommate as “pathetic” and “childish” for trying to pass the blame.







Some even shared their own experiences with debt collectors who wouldn’t believe they had the wrong number.








Petty or Perfect Payback?
What started as a petty move from a bitter ex-roommate turned into a small but satisfying victory. The man didn’t break any rules, didn’t lose his temper, he simply used honesty and wit to shut down the nonsense.
In the end, it’s a funny reminder that sometimes, the best revenge is staying calm and letting your enemies embarrass themselves. The ex-roommate might still be dodging bills, but this man? He’s finally enjoying the sweet sound of silence and maybe a few well-earned laughs.









