How is it possible to get an x-directory telephone number?

We've had a weird call today - someone phoned us up %26amp; asked 'is that (my address)? - we're trying to phone (next door address) but can't get through', after saying that we can pop next door %26amp; get them they replied 'Don't worry we send (neighbour name) a letter' - so it seems they knew our neighbour since they knew their name



It was only afterward, we thought 'How on earth did they get our telephone number - It's X-Directory (%26amp; has been for a couple of years now)', %26amp; on top of that WHY wouldn't they let us go get our neighbour ??



It all seem a little suspicious to me, but we couldn't call back to ask how he got our number since the number was withheld



Anyone had anything similar??

ANY advice on this appreciatedHow is it possible to get an x-directory telephone number?
It will be a debt recovery company trying to trace your neighbour , the letter they are going to send is probably a final demand or a summons.



They may have got your number from any survey you may have filled in in the past or maybe the government (governments sell personal details onto cold calling companys and surprisingly this is not illegal). To put it bluntly if you have given any company your number in the past any other company can get it (kind of makes it pointless to go X-directory)



edit: here is an example of how a company gets your personal details :-



http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/news/artic鈥?/a>