| Prank calls are down right annoying, and can really | | | | Step 3 - Use a reverse phone lookup. Enter the |
| make you resent owning a telephone. However, you | | | | number of the caller into a backwards phone trace |
| need to take control of the situation and not dread the | | | | search box and see what results are found. If a free |
| sound of your phone ringing. It is your number; | | | | lookup does not provide their identity, this is either |
| therefore you have a right to privacy, and a right to | | | | because they are phoning from a fake number (caller |
| take action if ever your privacy is violated. You need | | | | ID spoofing), or are using a private line or cell pone. |
| to let the crank caller know you won't put up with their | | | | Your next step is to consider paying a small fee to |
| harassment. | | | | conduct a paid wireless trace to see if any more |
| Once you've built up your confidence and have | | | | details can be found. |
| decided to take matters into your own hands you will | | | | Once you discover who the person is, the next time |
| feel better about the situation, and can clearly think | | | | they call, confidently answer the phone, calmly address |
| about how you will rectify the issue. If you are not sure | | | | them by their name and tell them you know where |
| what steps you should take, the following is what you | | | | they live and that you have notified the police of their |
| need to keep in mind: | | | | harassment. Then hang up the phone. This is often a |
| Step 1 -Do not confront the caller without knowing | | | | great way to scare them into stopping. If they should |
| who they are or make your own threats. It's best to | | | | call you bluff. Actually notify the police. |
| avoid the person at all costs, because you don't want | | | | Step 4 - Notify your phone company of the prank calls |
| to aggravate the problem or make it worse. | | | | if they become frequent and let them know all of the |
| Step 2 - Avoid answering the calls. If you have not | | | | information you may have found from the phone |
| done so already, obtain caller ID service from your | | | | number search. You may also want to contact the |
| phone company. This allows you to see when the | | | | telephone carrier associated with the prankster if you |
| prankster calls, and also gives you their number, and | | | | discovered this data with a reverse lookup. Most |
| possibly even their last name if they are calling from a | | | | companies will not be pleased to learn that one of their |
| listed landline phone. Make sure you let everyone in | | | | clients is associating them with illegal practices. |
| your household know what the number is and to not | | | | Last, but certainly not least, always contact your legal |
| answer the call. Let the answering machine or voice | | | | authorities if ever the irritating prank calls develop into a |
| mail pick up the messages. With any luck, the person | | | | more serious issue, such as constant harassment that |
| will become bored and stop calling. | | | | includes threats to you or anyone in your home. |