| Harassing phone calls can make you dread the sound | | | | to do the same. Another way you can screen calls is |
| of a ringing telephone, and fear who may be on the | | | | to apply a different ring tone to the harassing caller's |
| other line. You should never have to put up with any | | | | number. That way you will know each time they |
| form of harassment, and phone harassment is no | | | | phone. Once the harasser realizes they can't reach |
| exception. As a telephone consumer you have a right | | | | you, this will deter them from calling you back. |
| to privacy and phone harassment is illegal in most | | | | Block the call - If the number is blocked, and the calls |
| states. | | | | are being made to your landline phone, you can usually |
| Are you unsure if the unwanted phone calls you are | | | | disable blocked calls by activating anonymous call |
| receiving are considered harassment? To help you | | | | rejection. To activate this service, pick up your phone |
| better define the calls you've experienced, the | | | | and dial *77. After entering the code, you should either |
| following is what counts as a harassing call: | | | | her three beeps or a recording which informs you that |
| - When someone uses profane language or threatens | | | | anyone who blocks their number will be blocked from |
| you | | | | your phone. Thus, the next time the anonymous |
| - Heavy breathing or silence is used to intimidate you | | | | harasser calls, your phone will not ring and he/she will |
| All it takes is one phone call with any of the above | | | | hear a recording that states you do not accept calls |
| characteristics to be considered phone harassment. | | | | from blocked numbers and it will then tell them how |
| What can you do about harassing calls? Depending on | | | | they can go about unblocking their number. You can |
| how serious the harassment is will determine what | | | | also ask your phone company to block all calls made |
| methods you will use to make the calls stop. The | | | | by the harasser's phone number. |
| following are a few suggestions: | | | | Do not call the harasser back. Although you may be |
| Find out everything you can about the caller - First of | | | | tempted to call the harasser back and give them a |
| all, conduct a reverse phone search. Find out the | | | | taste of their own medicine, or a piece of your mind, |
| caller's 10-digit phone number. This can easily be | | | | you don't want to take the risk that this method will |
| achieved with Caller ID and paying attention to your call | | | | backfire and make the situation worse. Furthermore, |
| display the next time the harasser calls. Enter the | | | | the number they could be using may not even be |
| phone number into a reverse phone number lookup | | | | theirs. They could be using another person's phone or |
| that includes cell phone numbers in the results, and see | | | | Caller ID spoofing (disguising their true identity with a |
| what information is returned to you for free. | | | | false one). |
| If you are not provided with the person's name and | | | | Notify your phone company and the police - If the |
| address, and you find out the number belongs to a | | | | harasser makes any threats make sure you notify |
| mobile phone, you can pay a small fee for a more | | | | your phone company and file a police report |
| detailed search to be conducted. You may find the | | | | immediately. When filing a report try to be as detailed |
| details you discover in a reverse lookup will be of use | | | | as possible. Tell them... |
| to you if you file a report with the authorities, or if you | | | | - The phone number associated with the harassing call |
| choose to confront the individual the next time they | | | | - The amount of calls you have receive and the times |
| phone. | | | | you received them |
| Note: If you cannot obtain the harassers number | | | | - What the caller said (if anything) and what their voice |
| because they have blocked their number from being | | | | sounded like (I.E. male/female, androgynous, robotic, |
| displayed on your Caller ID, you can find out how to | | | | etc.) |
| put a stop to this, which will be explained in the "block | | | | The more details you can provide the better. |
| the call" section below. | | | | As you can see it is important to learn the identity and |
| Screen the call with Caller ID - Don't answer the phone | | | | location of the person making harassing calls, and in |
| when the harasser's number shows up on your Caller | | | | many cases, a reverse cell phone lookup can be very |
| ID, and be sure to tell anyone else who lives with you | | | | helpful. |