Dealing with a Prank Caller

MrBug708 · 02-21-2010, 01:51 AM

Got kind of an issue here. I get a prank call from the same phone number with some minor regularity. Tonight they called, left a message that didnt say much of anything, and that was that. An hour later, they call again and I answer, and just left there be dead air. Previously I've tried to say hello, but they just giggle (Im thinking 13 year old girls here) say something lame, and then hang up. Wash, Rinse, Repeat. After having them call about 7 times in a row and letting there be dead air and listening to them say hello, one of them says that this was the girls mother (in her still 13 year old voice) and they wanted to apologize for their behavior and that the girl was in timeout, they just wanted me to say something to acknowledge that I heard what they said and then hung up and called again, which I let go to voice mail.

Reverse phone number lookup is worthless because it doesn't track cell phones. I don't really feel like writing down all of the calls and making a report. Can cell phone companies block a certain number for your cell phone? Not sure what to do really

Izulde · 02-21-2010, 01:58 AM

Wait a few years.

RainMaker · 02-21-2010, 02:14 AM

Pretty sure they can block the number. I'd report it to the cell phone's carrier as well. If you think it's children, perhaps say that the number has been reported to the police.

Chief Rum · 02-21-2010, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Pretty sure they can block the number. I'd report it to the cell phone's carrier as well. If you think it's children, perhaps say that the number has been reported to the police.

I'm not so sure they can. I have had friends who had relationships go bad and they were helpless to stop getting calls from the ex's. They had to pretty much shut the number down and get a new number if they wanted to escape any calls from specific people. That's going back two or three years, though--maybe the laws or the capabilities of the cell phone companies have changed for the better in that respect.

lungs · 02-21-2010, 05:55 AM

Call the cops. I used to be a prank caller until I got caught and got a ticket when I was 13. That was the end of my prank calling days.

Toddzilla · 02-21-2010, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izulde

Wait a few years.

Quality

stevew · 02-21-2010, 08:31 AM

Post their number here. Once they get bothered by people from 25 different area codes, they'll know Kyle Kappe is not someone to be fucked around with.

sovereignstar · 02-21-2010, 08:42 AM

Tell your mommy.

Noop · 02-21-2010, 09:17 AM

If they prank call you again then I suggest you go ahead and go to defcon 5 on their ass and prank them back. I would say absolutely weird shit like...

Bug: Dude!!!!! I just brought this new pet rock from the store and it pee'd on my couch. No way are you serious?

Then you can start gangsta rapping about drinking a 40 in your 40s with Tina Fey and a bum who looks like Jesus.

Next I would keep calling that number and asking if someone would listen to your problems.
-------------------

I am well aware that I sound like I have done this before...

noop

duckman · 02-21-2010, 09:33 AM

Two words: Air Horn

Flasch186 · 02-21-2010, 10:01 AM

post the number on here and thatll end it.

Logan · 02-21-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duckman

Two words: Air Horn

I like this idea a lot.

Or Yanni.

illinifan999 · 02-21-2010, 10:37 AM

Usually calling the cops will do the trick. When I was doing my internship, we had dealt with "phone harassment" a few times. What happened is someone would call, or come in and explain the situation to the officer. He would then call the number and basically say that he was "Officer xxx of the Carbondale Police Department, and we've received a complaint that someone on using this phone has been making harassing phone calls and that if it doesn't stop further action will be taken".

If the person calling lives in the jurisdiction, the cops can just go there and deal with it in person. But if they don't it's a little harder to actually take action, although a warning like that usually does the trick, especially if it's younger people.

But for example, we had a professor that was getting prank calls, and we found out that the person making them lived near St. Louis in a town called. After the warning phone call (disgruntled student) didn't work, the officer made a call to the department in that area and asked if an officer could make a quick stop at the offender's house. No idea if an officer actually went, but the calls stopped.

digamma · 02-21-2010, 11:24 AM

I know you called.
I know you called.
I know you hung up on my line.
Star 69.

EagleFan · 02-21-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izulde

Wait a few years.

This thread was already complete after post number 2. We have an epic winner!!!

sterlingice · 02-21-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lungs

Call the cops. I used to be a prank caller until I got caught and got a ticket when I was 13. That was the end of my prank calling days.

SI

ShaneTheMaster · 02-21-2010, 03:50 PM

People still crank call? I mean, caller ID kinda ruins it.

Bobble · 02-23-2010, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lungs

Call the cops. I used to be a prank caller until I got caught and got a ticket when I was 13. That was the end of my prank calling days.

Sorry for narcing on you back then, dude. I just thought you needed to learn a lesson.

Rizon · 02-23-2010, 12:49 PM

I think there is a way to block calls, but never had to do it. People I know just change those types of calls to DO NOT ANSWER in their address book.

Dodgerchick · 02-23-2010, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noop

If they prank call you again then I suggest you go ahead and go to defcon 5 on their ass and prank them back. I would say absolutely weird shit like...

Bug: Dude!!!!! I just brought this new pet rock from the store and it pee'd on my couch. No way are you serious?

Then you can start gangsta rapping about drinking a 40 in your 40s with Tina Fey and a bum who looks like Jesus.

Next I would keep calling that number and asking if someone would listen to your problems.
-------------------

I am well aware that I sound like I have done this before...

noop

It might backfire though. They might think it's funny and call back more often. Hell, MrBug's # might even get distributed amongst other 13 year olds, "Hey, there's this guy we've been prank calling that's saying some weird stuff... check it out here's his #."

The last one though might actually get them to stop, no 13 year old kid wants to hear a grown up's problems.

JediKooter · 02-23-2010, 08:57 PM

I had a prank caller a few years ago and amazingly, they stopped calling when I answered the phone, "Police Department". Never heard from them again. YMMV.

lungs · 02-23-2010, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobble

Sorry for narcing on you back then, dude. I just thought you needed to learn a lesson.

Lesson learned

That's fine, once the whole prank calling thing got us into trouble, we turned to drugs.

02-21-2010, 01:58 AM	#2
Izulde Head Coach Join Date: Sep 2004	Wait a few years. __________________ 2006 Golden Scribe Nominee 2006 Golden Scribe Winner Best Non-Sport Dynasty: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty) Rookie Writer of the Year Dynasty of the Year: May Our Reign Be Green and Golden (CK Dynasty)

02-21-2010, 09:17 AM	#9
Noop Bonafide Seminole Fan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Miami	If they prank call you again then I suggest you go ahead and go to defcon 5 on their ass and prank them back. I would say absolutely weird shit like... Bug: Dude!!!!! I just brought this new pet rock from the store and it pee'd on my couch. No way are you serious? Then you can start gangsta rapping about drinking a 40 in your 40s with Tina Fey and a bum who looks like Jesus. Next I would keep calling that number and asking if someone would listen to your problems. ------------------- I am well aware that I sound like I have done this before... noop __________________ Subby's favorite woman hater.

02-21-2010, 10:01 AM	#11
Flasch186 Coordinator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL	post the number on here and thatll end it. __________________ Jacksonville-florida-homes-for-sale Putting a New Spin on Real Estate! ----------------------------------------------------------- Commissioner of the USFL USFL

02-21-2010, 10:37 AM	#13
illinifan999 Pro Rookie Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: VA	Usually calling the cops will do the trick. When I was doing my internship, we had dealt with "phone harassment" a few times. What happened is someone would call, or come in and explain the situation to the officer. He would then call the number and basically say that he was "Officer xxx of the Carbondale Police Department, and we've received a complaint that someone on using this phone has been making harassing phone calls and that if it doesn't stop further action will be taken". If the person calling lives in the jurisdiction, the cops can just go there and deal with it in person. But if they don't it's a little harder to actually take action, although a warning like that usually does the trick, especially if it's younger people. But for example, we had a professor that was getting prank calls, and we found out that the person making them lived near St. Louis in a town called. After the warning phone call (disgruntled student) didn't work, the officer made a call to the department in that area and asked if an officer could make a quick stop at the offender's house. No idea if an officer actually went, but the calls stopped. __________________ Chicago Eagles 2 time ZFL champions We're "rebuilding"

02-21-2010, 03:50 PM	#17
ShaneTheMaster High School JV Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, FL	People still crank call? I mean, caller ID kinda ruins it. __________________ ShaneTheMaster GM, Savannah Kings (WOOF2) Ex-GM, Austin Rage (USFL) Ex-GM, Cincinatti Bengals, (Replicated NFL) Ex-GM, Tampa Bay Surge, (WLAF)

02-21-2010, 02:14 AM	#3
RainMaker General Manager Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chicago, IL	Pretty sure they can block the number. I'd report it to the cell phone's carrier as well. If you think it's children, perhaps say that the number has been reported to the police.

02-21-2010, 05:55 AM	#5
lungs Pro Rookie Join Date: May 2002 Location: Prairie du Sac, WI	Call the cops. I used to be a prank caller until I got caught and got a ticket when I was 13. That was the end of my prank calling days.

02-21-2010, 08:31 AM	#7
stevew Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the yo'	Post their number here. Once they get bothered by people from 25 different area codes, they'll know Kyle Kappe is not someone to be fucked around with.

02-21-2010, 08:42 AM	#8
sovereignstar Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2004	Tell your mommy.

02-21-2010, 11:24 AM	#14
digamma Torchbearer Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: On Lake Harriet	I know you called. I know you called. I know you hung up on my line. Star 69.

02-23-2010, 08:57 PM	#21
JediKooter Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego via Sausalito via San Jose via San Diego	I had a prank caller a few years ago and amazingly, they stopped calling when I answered the phone, "Police Department". Never heard from them again. YMMV. __________________ I'm no longer a Chargers fan, they are dead to me Coming this summer to a movie theater near you: The Adventures of Jedikooter: Part 4

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