Malicious phonecalls

[cHodAX]

Ok, thought I may as well post this here and get some advice.

Last night, well early this morning I suppose, 1:00am or so I get a telephone call. I never get calls that late so I was worried it was an emergency and jumped up out of bed. I answered the phone, initially there was a few seconds silence before I said 'hello' as I was half alseep. The guy on the other end paused for a second and then said 'oh sorry, who is that?'. The voice sounded a bit like my mate Daryl and I thought he must have mis-dialed so I replied 'It's James, who is that?'. He then said 'Oh hello James, it is Dave here, we used to go to school together'. I then replied 'Dave who? Which school?. I was a bit suspicious at this point and instead of answering my question he just went off on a tangent rambling. After a minute I realised it was a prank call and hung up.

2 minutes later he is back on the phone, again I hang up. Again he phones so I tell him I will report it to BT if he calls again. Within 5 minutes he is back on the phone, threating me and being abusive. This cycle of hang up and phone ringing continues for about another hour. At that point I am pissed off and unplug the phone, went to bed and hoped the guy would get bored.

1pm this after comes, he is back on the phone, he threatens to come around and stab me, then he threatens to burn me out of my house. I hang up and the whole cycle begins again, all afternoon every 30 minutes or so he rings again. I can't do 1471 to get his number as he is somehow witholding it. I called BT and they said they will turn some system on my line tomorrow so I can block his calls. After the threats he made that is small comfort, I spoke to some friends and my parents, they all said I need to call the police and get them to log it down incase anything more serious happens. I did just that and I am waiting for the police to call around as we speak.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem before and how did they deal with it?

 

[Raven]

if i get problem calls i say i have just got out of the shower and ask them what they are wearing etc, tell them i am all oiled up and feeling hot. for sales people that is.

you have done the right thing by calling the police, BT will have the number of the person who is calling you and the police can take it from there

 

[Mey]

For sales people me and my brother lead them on for ages.. like asking loads of questions sounding dead interested, you know spend a good 10-15 minutes of there time getting all excited about this really big deal, then go.. o sorry i don't think im old enough..

 

[Tilda]

Write down the times he calls you, what he says, what he sounds like (accent, old, young, etc), then police, tomorrow morning.

 

[Eeben]

Ok, thought I may as well post this here and get some advice.

Last night, well early this morning I suppose, 1:00am or so I get a telephone call. I never get calls that late so I was worried it was an emergency and jumped up out of bed. I answered the phone, initially there was a few seconds silence before I said 'hello' as I was half alseep. The guy on the other end paused for a second and then said 'oh sorry, who is that?'. The voice sounded a bit like my mate Daryl and I thought he must have mis-dialed so I replied 'It's James, who is that?'. He then said 'Oh hello James, it is Dave here, we used to go to school together'. I then replied 'Dave who? Which school?. I was a bit suspicious at this point and instead of answering my question he just went off on a tangent rambling. After a minute I realised it was a prank call and hung up.

2 minutes later he is back on the phone, again I hang up. Again he phones so I tell him I will report it to BT if he calls again. Within 5 minutes he is back on the phone, threating me and being abusive. This cycle of hang up and phone ringing continues for about another hour. At that point I am pissed off and unplug the phone, went to bed and hoped the guy would get bored.

1pm this after comes, he is back on the phone, he threatens to come around and stab me, then he threatens to burn me out of my house. I hang up and the whole cycle begins again, all afternoon every 30 minutes or so he rings again. I can't do 1471 to get his number as he is somehow witholding it. I called BT and they said they will turn some system on my line tomorrow so I can block his calls. After the threats he made that is small comfort, I spoke to some friends and my parents, they all said I need to call the police and get them to log it down incase anything more serious happens. I did just that and I am waiting for the police to call around as we speak.

I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem before and how did they deal with it?

sounds pretty scary some ppl are just fuckt up

 

[Shagrat]

Like Tilda said, write down times he calls and any threats he makes or any clues to where he is calling from.

 

[cHodAX]

Write down the times he calls you, what he says, what he sounds like (accent, old, young, etc), then police, tomorrow morning.

Sounds like a plan, the police are coming soon but I will make a log of any calls after they go.

 

[Huntingtons]

what he is doing is serious business, he can get dunno, fined or atleast convicted for threatening your life etc.

 

[Laddey]

Dunno what the charge would be. Harrasment defniatly, if hes a convict anyway he'll get a hefty fine. If he's on license (bail or probation) he'll go to jail more than likely, especially if he's on probation he'll get shipped off. It's possible he's on probation because he sounds like abit of a soap-picker

 

[Alan]

Cant add anything other than my support.

Talk with the police and keep a log.

 

[cHodAX]

Had another call about 5 mins ago, this time the guy called me Jimbob which freaked me out. Only my brother and sister ever call me that, it has left me wondering wether the guy was just reaching, trying to scare me or does he actually know me somehow?

It is bloody annoying tbh, the way the phone system lets people withold thier number is just asking for abuse.

 

[tris-]

ever thought of identity theft?

sounds like he got a lot of shit on you man. normally id say you deserve it for being a manc. but no, hope you sort it. id be shitting my pants :/

*pats*

 

[Ati]

If im perfectly honest with you my friend there are very few people will follow a threat. This guy's initial phonecall, what was he saying? What exactly was the practical joke as ive seen somewhere they merely ask you for the time. If I were you I would just not worry about it seeing as thats what he wants.
Something I have learned from this, dont threaten them. I know its annoying because of them being such arseholes but the reason for his calling is to scare you, he wants to scare you into not calling the police. Don't let him win but be careful, in the future at that time of night ill unplug right away note down time for authorities.
He had a chance to try and make you not tell, i doubt he would stab you if he is in the right mind so to speak. I am 16 and when I am home alone i let the phone ring onto answer, see who it is and then call them back. This means that I can monitor who is getting hold of me and if its someone for someone not in the house then the tape saves the message on not my siv of a mind.

Sorry for the rambling

Good luck, be safe

John

Just read that last post, I would not answer the phone until the police come over and when you do answer next make sure it is them that answer. Or preferably let it run to answer!!! Get evidence!

 

[Alan]

Had another call about 5 mins ago, this time the guy called me Jimbob which freaked me out. Only my brother and sister ever call me that, it has left me wondering wether the guy was just reaching, trying to scare me or does he actually know me somehow?

It is bloody annoying tbh, the way the phone system lets people withold thier number is just asking for abuse.

Im 99.9% sure BT have to keep a log of the calls, even if the number is withheld from you, it is not from the BT logging system, and the police/courts can get access to this.

 

[Mey]

End of the day if he said he was going to stab you and hasn't he proberly won't.. Just someone trying to screw around with you, upset anyone recently? (be the first question the police ask you i bet..) Any Bunny boiling girlfriends with psycho brothers?

 

[cHodAX]

Another night of calls, police didn't show up but promised they would be round this afternoon. Almost 5pm and the donut munching bastards still ain't here

 

[tris-]

the police are a bunch of lazy fucking shit bags.

make some complaints if they dont turn up again :/

 

[Mey]

I feel for you matey. Hope you get it sorted soon mind.

 

[Gamah]

got to be fucking sad to do something like this, hope the police do something about it.

 

[Tasslehoff]

Bah sucks :S
In Denmark you go to prison for threatening other people on their life, hope the samme applies in England!

 

[evzy]

You can get BT to put on your telephone line a block for anyone who calls but witholds their number - always handy as well for avoiding sales calls as most do the same. BT will have a log of the actual phone number even if the moron has tried to withold it. The police should be able to deal with it no problem - and if you can - try and get a sneaky look at any reports they collate as it may well have the name/add of the moron on it as well (have done that myself for a road rage incident that happened to an ex-girlfriend many moons ago and we got the dudes name and add - he didnt bother her again.. )

Don't worry about it, let the police sort it - but as someone said just have a think if there is anyone you have upset recently - an ex , and ex ex etc...

Could even be Santa cos he knows who has been naughty or nice and he may just be trying to advise you that you are not getting any xmas prezzies this year....

 

[Haggus]

Gamah whats ur number ?

 

[Marc]

I had a few from my GF's ex. I told the police and they said "just change your number" as there is nothing they could do. In the end I just told the guy making the phone calls next time I see him out i was going to bottle him. I called his bluff and it worked, didnt phone again.

 

[tris-]

and the sad thing about that marc, is if he reported you then it would be you getting done.

for threatening someone :/

 

[Biggilus]

chodax just gotta say, Jimbob is a relatively safe bet to call someone who is called James, especially if he is on a mission to freak you out, I generally call any James I know Jimmy or Jimbob, it's not an unusual one but of course it will have abigger impact on you as it's a close family relation you have with that nickname.

but as the other's say, note when he calls and kick the cop's arses into gear, they can get BT to giev up the logs to them etc and take it from there.
and i totally sympathise with you about cops being lazy (not all, some), when i supervised a supermarket in the evenign shifts occassionally i had to 999 as some kids started throwing shit through the windows, rarlely would they turn up, was such a f'ing joke.

maybe try keeping yoru phone off the hook as you go to bed? if it's a real emergency from a mate/relation they woudl have yoru mobile number? just a thought

 

[Dreamor]

Another night of calls, police didn't show up but promised they would be round this afternoon. Almost 5pm and the donut munching bastards still ain't here

You really do need to go down to the station and make this a little more formal. If your worried, seriously, about this then going down there is the only way to get them to do something. On getting the caller ID, even if it is with-held then as soon as that last digit is dialled it is down on BT's system (or whatever the company it originated from.)

More than likely this is someone you know or have 'accidentally' left your details on the side at work (I've seen it done a lot recently.) Other thing to check is if a friend or family member has lost a phone recently and your number was last to be dialled, again, it can happen that some looser gets a hold of the information.

Don't go tell anyone you know about these calls as it will just make it worse, some will only call you late as a joke.

 

[Ezteq]

havent read all the replies but on my mobile you can record stuff, if he calls you back and you have an mp3 player or cell phone or something tbh record it. and make sure for the time being you follow basic safety procedures, dont open the door to anyone you dont know (if theres some nutter out there who isnt just playing silly buggers dont give them the chance to hurt you) its not an over reaction its commen sence, keep your windows and doors locked, make a note of any strange people / cars hanging about your house or work just be aware.

you might feel silly or paranoid but better to be safe than sorry and try not to let it upset you too much just carry on but keep your eyes peeled. i feel for you bud i really do its no fun when this happens and as tempting as it is to call the guys bluff and bawl him out on the phone try and remember he might be a 100% grade a nutter so dont antagonise him just hang up.

take care bud.

 

[tris-]

i would advise against being too paranoid. after a while you get to a point where your brain fills in the blanks and litterally makes things up.

 

[Ezteq]

ye what im saying may sound like total tin foil hat territory but it is possible to be aware of things and cautious and continue with a normal life, dont let it rule you. but at the same time, watch your back

 

[cHodAX]

Well after another night of calls and hardly any sleep because my mind is all over the place I have decided to get away for a few days, it is my cousins funeral today anyway so I thought I may as well go stay with my parents and get my head together.

The police called last night and took a statement, they gave thier usual 'we will look into it' speech but you never know, they might. They did say that the death threat made yesterday was very serious and proof of a sustained campaign would land this guy in jail. BT gave me access to the call barring system so I barred the guy when he rang last night, no calls since but he may figure out that he can still call from another phone.

The whole thing has really got to me to be honest and I am not the kind of person who scares easily, the calls just turned very sinister after the inital call and the little bastard has got into my head. My parents and family are really worried, just incase this guy is a legit nut job and tries to get to me but as I told them I can't live my life looking over my shoulder. At least the police know what is going on now so if anything happens to me they know where to start looking for evidence.