How to Stop Harassing Phone Calls


Phone is one of the most effective and useful way for instant communication. Today, we have cell phones that we carry along with us and stay in touch with our family and friends 24/7. But a phone is also an annoying medium that can be used to threaten, harass and send obscene messages. You can receive harassing phone calls from a salesperson, teenagers playing pranks, credit collectors, ex-partner, etc. When someone calls you excessively, uses obscene or threatening language or just uses silence to intimidate you, it can be termed as a harassing phone call. These harassing phone calls tend to take away your peace of mind and cause stress in your life. It is an invasion of your privacy that may turn into a frightening experience. Therefore, many times one searches for ways to stop such calls.

Stop Harassing Phone Calls

Harassment is a crime that is a punishable offense similar to gross misdemeanor or felony. If any person or group calls you on your phone or cell phone and sends messages to your cell phone, it amounts to harassment. Harassment should be taken seriously and make sure you let everyone you trust know someone is harassing you through phone calls.

You need to call the local phone company and let them know that someone is repeatedly calling you to harass. The company won't act if you receive just one or two harassing calls. If the number of calls is more and frequent, the company immediately takes some action. The local phone company may have a policy to first call the phone company or may inform the police first. You should call the phone companies business center first and let them know about the harassment. You may also have to file a formal complaint before the phone company can take any action to stop such calls.

In case the phone calls are obscene and life or property is at stake, call the police immediately. You should let them know all the details like if you knew who was calling, whether the person was intoxicated, etc. Once the phone company takes note of your harassing phone calls, they will lay a trap on your phone line. You are now supposed to keep a track of the number of times the person calls you, the time of the phone call and date of the phone received. You may also avail the facility of 'Call Trace' to trace the harassing calls. You may have to pay a fee for availing the facility. Many times the phone company may suggest call trace and you may not have to pay the fee. Be sure you ask the company regarding this facility and its payment. The information collected by 'Call Trace' will be forwarded directly to the law enforcement agency handling your case.

Steps to Stop Harassing Cell Phone Calls

When you receive a call from the number of the person who is harassing you, just hang up. Do not say anything in shock or express anger. Many times someone is just trying to have some fun and your retaliation gives them an opportunity to trouble you more. If this does not work, you can activate your voice mail system. The message that can be played should state that you have received harassing phone calls and the phone company has laid a trap on the line. If the person calling does not leave a message, it will be assumed you are the annoyance caller and your call will be traced. When you do answer the phone you can just say, 'Operator this is the call' or say 'trace' and the time and date of call.

You can even register yourself with the National Do Not Call Registry that will help stop harassing cell phone calls from telemarketers. You can even stop harassing cell phone by activating 'selective call block' in our cell phone. There are many software available for cell phones that help to stop harassing cell phone calls. You can get one such software installed on your cell phone to get rid of this annoyance.

Stop Harassing Phone Calls from Creditors

If you are receiving harassing phone calls from creditors, you can simply disconnect the call without saying anything. Or you can say that you have invoked your rights under the fair Debt Collection Practices Act and ask them not to call you again. They should now communicate with you in writing only. In this case too, you can again use your voice mail service and repeat the message above stating that you have activated call trace and the call is being recorded. Do not worry that you maybe breaking any law, by not speaking to your creditor collectors. You have a law to protect you from harassing practices. The Fair Debt Collection Protection Act helps you against such phone calls from creditors.

You need to contact the local authorities, if you receive any type of harassing phone calls. The calls affect not only your personal life, but even those around you. Take steps to stop such calls and live your life in peace.

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