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Prank calls can be very annoying, especially if a prank caller continues to call over time. Threatening, obscene, or harassing calls can be a serious problem. With a few easy steps you can identify and stop a prank caller from calling.
Steps
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Block the prank calls. While mobile phone companies do not offer the same Call Block or Call Screen services that landline phone companies do, you may still be able to have the calls from a particular number blocked. Many companies offer services for parents who want to restrict their child's mobile phone use, including the ability to prevent specific numbers from calling the phone.
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Contact the police. If the call is threatening or harassing, it may violate local or state laws. Contact your local police department to make a report if the call is threatening. Harassing calls to a cell phone may also be covered by electronic communications harassment laws in your state.Advertisement
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Screen your calls. Your mobile phone should display the phone number of the prank caller. Don't answer calls from that number and you won't have to talk to them.
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Send prank calls straight to voicemail. Make a contact in your phone for the prank caller's number. Many mobile phones have options in the contact list to change the result of an incoming call including assigning a different ringtone or sending calls straight to voicemail.
- If your phone doesn't have an option to send calls from a contact to voicemail, set the ringtone for your prank caller's contact to silent so calls will not make your phone ring.
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Use an app. Search your app store for call management and call blocking apps. The apps available will depend on the kind of phone you use, but many free apps can block calls from a particular number.
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Contact the police. If the call is obscene or threatening, it may violate local or state laws. Contact your local police department to make a report, especially if the call is threatening and not just annoying.
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Contact your phone company. Many phone companies have whole offices devoted to nuisance calls. Check with your phone company to find out what services they offer to help you manage prank calls.
- AT&T has an Annoyance Call page with information and policies.
- Verizon has an Unlawful Call Center page with information about both unlawful and unwanted calls.
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Screen your calls. To avoid talking to a prank caller, screen your calls using an answering machine, voicemail, or Caller ID.
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Use a phone company service to find out who is calling. Phone companies offer a variety of services that can help you figure out who is making a prank call. The availability and cost of these services vary by company.
- A "trap" is a service that enables the phone company to determine the number of a prank caller if they call repeatedly. Once a trap is set up you record the times and dates of calls so that the phone company can use them to find the caller's number.
- A trace can help you find the number of the last caller to your landline phone. Dial *57 (1157 for rotary/pulse phones) right after you receive a prank call and follow the instructions in the recorded message from your phone company.
- Caller ID is a service you can set up in advance to see who is calling you as soon as the phone begins to ring. Check with your phone company to see what equipment and costs are required to use Caller ID.
- Anonymous Call Rejection or Privacy Manager are services that can help you find out blocked numbers or prevent them from calling. These services require callers who have blocked their number from Caller ID to reveal their phone number in order to complete a call to your line. If the caller's number normally appears as "anonymous," "private," "out of area," or "unavailable," the service requires the caller to state their name before allowing the call to ring your phone line.
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Block the prank calls. Once you know the number of your prank caller use a phone company service to prevent them from calling you again.
- Call block (*60), also called Call Screen, is a service that lets you block some numbers from calling your phone line. Use the service by dialing *60 or contact your phone company to set it up.
Common Questions: Dealing With Unwanted Calls
How do you find out who's prank calling you?
If you have caller ID, the prank caller's number should appear there. If you don't, you can use a call-return code like *69 or *82 immediately after getting the call. However, if the user masked their number, you won't be able to tell what their number is even with caller ID or a call-return code.
Do police take prank calls seriously?
It likely depends on the severity and frequency of the calls. Each state may have different legal definitions for a prank call, and some states may have laws specifically about prank calls. However, if the prank calls are frequent and the caller is making threats, the police can likely help with this.
Why am I suddenly getting so many spam calls?
When you enter your phone number on certain websites or answer spam callers, they can take your phone number and sell it to other spammer or telemarketing companies. Always read the terms and conditions before entering your phone number on a website, and only pick up calls from people you know. [1] X Research source
How do you prank a prank caller?
One simple way to prank a scammer or prank caller is to waste their time. If the prankster or scammer asks you a question, try answering it very literally or pretend that you don't understand what's going on. However, be sure to not give out any personal information or give in to demands from the caller.
