phone harassment

[waterboy]

I'm receiving death threats and bizarre phone calls from someone whose number is blocked (thanks for that nifty option ma bell). It is a land line. He probably has me mixed up with someone else but I don't care to receive them.

Realistically, is there any way to stop this nutjob? Or find out who he is and send a policeman to explain the law? Sorry to post under this heading, the forum chat wouldn't let me in.

[cannon_fodder]

Most providers have an option of NOT accepting blocked numbers.  That might help.  Sometimes *69 works even on blocked numbers, or automatic call back does.  OR... if the guy always calls back when you hang up - forward the call to the police.  Or try to get him to leave a threatening message so you at least have a recording.

Otherwise call the police non-emergency number and ask them what your options are.

[patric]

Call blocking only prevents you from seeing the callers number, not at&t (who keeps detailed records of every landline call).

Make a note of the time and date of these calls and ask to speak to at&t security.  They will likely ask you to go to the formality of filing a local police report so they can legally act on the information you give them.

[Conan71]

That's a screwed up deal WB and quite serious.  Take everyone else's suggestions and act now, just in case you really did crap in someone's Post Toasties.  You never know anymore.

[waterboy]

thanks for the tips. I think the guy is a coward. However, if I block his calls it may push him to a face to face confrontation. I tried to reach AT&T personnel yesterday but that dept. was closed. I'll try again today.

Since I made note of day/time when he first called they may be able to pinpoint the call. Thanks again.

[Conan71]

Need to borrow a squirrel rifle in the meantime?

Wish you the best Waterboy, I hope this nut goes away and it's just random.  This is one good reason I don't have a landline.  A cell phone at least makes me a moving target.

[]

[sgrizzle]

If the caller didn't breath heavy and refer to himself as "Escobar," the it wasn't me..

Identify yourself when he calls or on your answering machine. Maybe he'll figure out it's a wrong number.

[Wrinkle]

There is a "Call Trace" option on your AT&T landline. It's one of those "*##" options.

After hanging up from a call you received that you wish to Trace, use this option to automate call tracing.

It doesn't allow you to personally trace the call, but does flag the call internally to AT&T, who can then easily retrieve the info and provide it to authorities once you file a formal complaint.

Here's a link to AT&T's info on the subject

[waterboy]

The calls have stopped for the time being. I will answer the phone with my name from now on though there are many who share it. I was unaware of the the call trace feature. Very helpful.

conan, I'm a damn liberal for heavens sake. No guns allowed in this household. Though I do have a large machete and a flare gun....

[cannon_fodder]

"That rifle hanging on the wall of the working-class flat or laborer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there."  -- George Orwell (liberal)

If Obama wins the primary, I say he has a gun toting picture before the election.  Clinton will not as her husband already chose her camp.

[RecycleMichael]

Gun control? We need bullet control! I think every bullet should cost 5,000 dollars. Because if a bullet cost five thousand dollar, we wouldn't have any innocent bystander. Or if someone has a score to settle, being like, "You know what, I would ******* put a cap in your donkey... if I could afford it! I'm gonna save up some money, maybe get a second job or something, then you a mother******* dead man!"

Chris Rock

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by Wrinkle

There is a "Call Trace" option on your AT&T landline. It's one of those "*##" options.

Beware that is a subscription service, and you still have to call Security afterward to get them to act on it. Not worth it unless you get nuisance calls every day year round.

Just make a note of the date and time and Security will look up the ANI record(s) of your nuisance call(s) for free.    

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by Wrinkle

There is a "Call Trace" option on your AT&T landline. It's one of those "*##" options.

Beware that is a subscription service, and you still have to call Security afterward to get them to act on it. Not worth it unless you get nuisance calls every day year round.

Just make a note of the date and time and Security will look up the ANI record(s) of your nuisance call(s) for free.    

the coward called again today so I hit *57 and got a recording telling me that they had flagged the call and to call AT&T security. I wrote down the wrong number of course so I called the AT&T number listed in the phone book for obscene and nuisance calls. The operator assured me there is no AT&T security even though their own tape had told me to call them. She checked with her boss and who said I would need to call the police and file a report as they have no security dept. curious indeed.

Calling the police means waiting around for a hour or more till they arrive then filing a report that both of us will feel is a waste of our time. I think I will ask AT&t to just block that number. Using their non existant shadow security force of course. But the coward will just find another line I'm sure. May be time to drop the land line entirely.

Thanks for the laugh about the liberals with guns. I should have checked our manual on that one! Anyway, no guns in my house as of yet. Not that I don't enjoy them, I just play the stats. Better chance of living a long life if you wear your seat belt and don't keep a gun in the home. And don't smoke, and don't drink and exercise regularly and keep your weight down and on, and on, and on...[]

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

The calls have stopped for the time being. I will answer the phone with my name from now on though there are many who share it. I was unaware of the the call trace feature. Very helpful.

conan, I'm a damn liberal for heavens sake. No guns allowed in this household. Though I do have a large machete and a flare gun....

Eh, just don't look in the end with the hole in it or point it at your foot and you will be just fine! []

[Wrinkle]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

quote:Originally posted by patric

quote:Originally posted by Wrinkle

There is a "Call Trace" option on your AT&T landline. It's one of those "*##" options.

Beware that is a subscription service, and you still have to call Security afterward to get them to act on it. Not worth it unless you get nuisance calls every day year round.

Just make a note of the date and time and Security will look up the ANI record(s) of your nuisance call(s) for free.    

the coward called again today so I hit *57 and got a recording telling me that they had flagged the call and to call AT&T security. I wrote down the wrong number of course so I called the AT&T number listed in the phone book for obscene and nuisance calls. The operator assured me there is no AT&T security even though their own tape had told me to call them. She checked with her boss and who said I would need to call the police and file a report as they have no security dept. curious indeed.

Calling the police means waiting around for a hour or more till they arrive then filing a report that both of us will feel is a waste of our time. I think I will ask AT&t to just block that number. Using their non existant shadow security force of course. But the coward will just find another line I'm sure. May be time to drop the land line entirely.

Thanks for the laugh about the liberals with guns. I should have checked our manual on that one! Anyway, no guns in my house as of yet. Not that I don't enjoy them, I just play the stats. Better chance of living a long life if you wear your seat belt and don't keep a gun in the home. And don't smoke, and don't drink and exercise regularly and keep your weight down and on, and on, and on...[]

You forgot the part about not p***** off people.
Sometimes they call first, sometimes not.

As I understand what I read on AT&T's webplace, it is a subscription service in some states, but Oklahoma was not listed. Sounds like it works on the technical end but fails miserably on the human part, AT&T's trademark.