Harassing Phone Calls

Tips on How to Handle Harassing Phone Calls

Harassing or prank phone calls are a fairly common occurrence and most people think nothing of them because they happen once in a great while. But once that turns into 10 to 15 calls a day it becomes a more serious and immediate problem, especially if the phone calls are of a disturbing nature.

Below are a few ideas to help prevent a repeat caller and they are followed by a log you can use to track a repeated and harassing phone calls.

• Hang up. As soon as you hear an obscenity, improper questions or no response to your "Hello?" hang up immediately.
  
  
• Don't talk to strangers.
  
  
• Don't play detective. Don't extend the call trying to figure out who is calling. This or any other type of reaction is exactly what the caller wants and needs.
  
  
• Keep cool, don't let the caller know you are upset or angry.
  
  
• Don't try to be clever. A witty response may be interpreted as a sign of encouragement.
  
  
• Don't be a counselor. The annoyance or obscene caller certainly needs professional help, but he/she will only be encouraged by your concern and will only continue the late night calls.
  
  
• Remember, if the caller is a wrong number, they do not need to know your number. Never give you number out to an unknown caller.
  
  
• Report obscene or annoying phone calls to the University Police Department at 472-2222.