40 calls logged on a landline number that no one has? How is that possible

From the moment I was given a new number, I was inundated with phone calls. A provider is not supposed to give out numbers to customers from a disconnected line unless that number has been held out of service for a minimum of six months. That is what telecommunications providers are supposed to adhere to. But they don't.

From the moment I had a new number, I was inundated with phone calls at all hours— early morning, late at night— it was an absolute nightmare, and VM couldn't care less. I had no apology and he said, “Well, sir, you could always unplug the phone, couldn't you?”

This meant that the new number wasn't actually new; it was a number that had been put back into service after being held on your system for less than six months. I very rarely use my landline. I checked it the other day, and I've had 40 calls this month. Thankfully, BT Call Guardian has blocked them. I've had calls from as early as 08:00 and at times eight calls in one day. Not a single person has my landline number, and yet I have 40 calls?