How can I get a co-worker to stop answering my phone?

The fellow that has his desk next to mine has been answering my phone if I happen to be away from my desk when it rings. I don't know what his motive is other than he probably thinks he's doing me a favor, but he's really not. He's terrible at taking messages and doesn't write anything down. When I come back he will say, "You got a phone call." I'll say, "Who was it and what did they want?" Then he'll say, "I don't know. Some guy about something." Which leaves me confused since now I don't know who called or what it was about. I asked him a few times to stop, but he keeps doing it even when I told him to let my voice mail handle it. What if it was something private and personal? I don't answer HIS phone for that reason. He sits right beside me and that would make an awkward situation if I reported him to our supervisor. Any suggestions?

I don't think he's doing it to be helpful or he would take the message, get accurate information and write it down. He just may be a busybody and wants to see who is calling you. I don't know what work you do, but if you have clients (like an investment firm) he may be trying to steal them from you. This happened to someone I know. When everyone went to lunch in the office, this guy would rifle their desks and get their clients phone numbers. Don't feel sorry for this guy, he sounds unethical in some way. Report him now before it gets too far along, but be sure you have evidence. Maybe they will move him to another department or even terminate him.

That definitely is not proper office etiquette. If he's not your friend, then you shouldn't worry about hurting his feelings and tell him straight out not to pick up your phone calls or you'll have to report him to the supervisor.

Maybe he likes you and is trying to see if you have a boyfriend by trying to catch one of his calls. Either way, it's wrong and he is invading in your personal/professional space.

Be very very direct and explain that you missed an important call when he answered your phone and because of this you are asking him for the last time to stop answering your phone. If he does it again, you have no choice but to report him. Maybe, also, as you get up to leave your desk say directly to him, "please do not answer my phone while I am away."

most office phones have a "DND"