Spam Calls: The Cost to My Sanity

lmb523
Jul 7
3 min read

Updated: Jul 21

Last week, I called my mortgage company to ask about a personal matter—nothing unusual, just a standard inquiry in order to plan ahead. As part of the conversation, I authorized a credit check with the person I called. I did not request quotes from outside companies, and I certainly did not give permission for my information to be shared.

But within seconds of the credit check, I started receiving a wave of spam calls, texts, and emails. These were not random robocalls. They are highly targeted, coming from mortgage-related companies, lenders, and “follow-up” services I never contacted or gave permission to reach out. They are “loan specialists,” and companies acting like they know my situation. They do not take hints like blocking their number or telling them not interested. They just use a different number. They are ruthless, mean, and arrogant.

I have a diagnosed anxiety disorder, and telephone calls are one of the things that trigger it the most. Even under normal circumstances, making and receiving phone calls can cause physical tension, racing thoughts, and emotional distress. It is not just a dislike of phones—it is a real, clinical reaction. When I start getting flooded with unexpected calls from strangers or companies I did not contact, it creates a constant state of unease. I cannot relax. I am always bracing for the next ring, the next unknown number, the next disruption. It is not just inconvenient—it is harmful to my mental health.

Let me be clear:

I did not contact them.

I did not ask for their help.

I did not authorize anyone to pass my information around.

Yet, here I am, bombarded with unwanted outreach from sources I never contacted.

People keep pushing, and I hold it in as long as I can. My tolerance has limits others do not always understand. When it builds up too much, something snaps. When I reach that point, I have already spent so much energy trying not to react. I start swearing, yelling, saying things I normally would not say—I lose control. Once that switch flips, my brain is flooded and I cannot shut it off. I am overwhelmed, cornered, and I try to express myself the only way I can in that moment. It comes from not being heard—for way too long.

I have previously taken steps to stop these calls:

Opted out of pre-screened credit offers.
Reviewed and restricted every marketing setting I could find.
Requested full deletion of personal data from credit platforms.
Registered with the Do Not Call Registry.

But the calls continue.

When life is already stressful—emotionally, financially, mentally—this constant intrusion is more than a nuisance. It is disruptive. It is draining. It is one more thing I did not ask for and cannot afford to waste energy on. I did not give out my information. I did not ask for quotes. I did not opt in to anything. All I did was make one legitimate call.

I am sharing this because I am feeling entrapped and intrusive thoughts are taking over. People need to understand how quickly and quietly their data can be shared. Even when you believe you are being careful—even when you are only talking to one company.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by things that are out of your control—you are not alone.

This practice should not be normal.

It needs to stop.

I already live with constant emotional strain, but this situation has pushed me further than I can handle. It may sound dramatic to some, but the truth is—I am exhausted, and this constant stress is making me feel like I do not want to exist anymore. I am tired of feeling hunted, ignored, and overwhelmed. I did not ask for this. I reached out for help, and in addition to the help I received, I was thrown into a mess that is affecting my mental health in ways I can no longer keep bottled up. I just want peace—and right now, that feels impossibly far away.

Update: After 100s of calls, I created a voice recording using a website called Narakeet. I just play it on repeat. The calls have finally slowed, but not stopped.

Stop This is your on

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