A peculiar prank
 

I had a very strange phonecall this morning.

Someone rang and said 'hi, it's me, you know who it is don't you?'. Well, they sounded fairly familiar so i said, 'yes'. They then asked me if I'd do them a favour. Me, still think I knew who it was, agreed. They then asked if anyone else was in earshot - a bit strange I thought - but I said, yes. They then asked if I wouldn't mind going somewhere else - a bit strange. So, I said, 'no one can hear me now'. They then asked if I would say some rude words - nothing outrageous they said, but all I had to do was repeat after them.

By this point I was well aware that I didn't really recognise the voice even though it had sounded familiar. So I told them that I wouldn't say those words and that unless they told me who they were I was going. They refused to tell me who they were so I hung up.

Something struck me afterwards - at one point in the convesation, he definitely said my name so he knew who I was (which again, was why I thought he was familiar).

Anyone else had similar (or can shed any light on this)?

Re: A peculiar prank
 

If it happens again tell them B.T. have a trace on the line, they can actually do this if you report it.

Either that or blow a whistle really loud into the mouthpiece. That should get rid of the sad, inadequate, loser.

Re: A peculiar prank
 

How strange. Don't waste time worrying over it, sad characters like these aren't worth it. Hopefully you won't hear from them again, if they ring back put your husband on the phone or if you've got one of those high pitched rape alarm devices handy then press that into the receiver. That will hurt their ears and should send them packing.:)

Re: A peculiar prank
 

That's a good idea Lilly, I actually have about 100 of those high pitched alarms as we got them for an event earlier this year and had to order more than we needed. I will put one by the phone now.

Re: A peculiar prank
 

agree with rindy, ask BT to put a trace on the call, a whistles fine for a laugh,but the sad get will only pester some other woman.;)

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This also happened to my girlfriends sisters last month but he got very abusive and said he was going to come to their house, he also knew their names. They reported it to the police, The police said that a few people have reported the same thing but also said that there was nothing they could do about it. Surely they could contact BT and get a trace on the call afterwards? anyway it's not happened since so it could just be a one off but it's very strange how he knew their names. i suggest you report it to the police

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yes i agree with neil, the police need to know about it, although they may not do anything about it at least they will have it on record

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are you sure its not the tv programme phonejacker?you never know,

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I think the fact that they know your name is quite scary, unless of course it is someone you know playing a prank but surely they'd let you in on the joke at the end of the call, I'd definately report it, though it doesn't sound likr the police will take it seriously.

Re: A peculiar prank
 

I know from past experience that it takes two such instances of harrassment for it to be a criminal offence, which the police are then are obliged to investigate.
Having taped evidence from an answering machine will help to make them take you seriously.

Your Rights: The Right to Privacy: Harassment, Unwanted Letters and Telephone Calls: Introduction

Re: A peculiar prank
 

Come on Gayle, there is conceit and there is conceit, someone as desperate as me might be tempted, but I don't think any women needs more then ten of these alarms no matter how attractive she is! :rolleyes:

Re: A peculiar prank
 

Less please dont trivialise the effect of such calls.
I compare it with the effects of a 'flasher' (which I have also had experience of). Men regard flashers as jokes - but at the time a woman's first thought is potential rape

Re: A peculiar prank
 

How sick is that,,, some sado getting a cheap thrill...I hope its NOT one of your friends ,that would make it worse....:mad:too cowardly to give their name..

Re: A peculiar prank
 

O.K. I'll promise not to trivialise it so long as you promise not to over-react to anything I say! :D

Re: A peculiar prank
 

promise :D

Re: A peculiar prank
 

Although about 10 years ago now, my daughter was harassed by one of these callers, after a few she reported it .. BT set up some sort of system whereby when he came on the phone she had to press one of the numbers, this set up an immediate trace. They caught him .. was someone who she didn't know way over in Yorkshire .. just obviously put a pin in the telephone directory. Was fined with a suspended .. sorry, can't remember all the details, but sure 10 years on technology is better for tracking calls. Think Margaret correct about at least two.

I found best just to put the phone down. I now have a large caller display and never answer Witheld, No number, International, 08 no's, ones in areas I do not recognise, particularly if they appear to be an easy no. to remember. Mainly, so I am not bothered by sales calls. Anybody, who seriously wishes to speak to me will begin to leave a message on the answering machine, and then I will pick it up. Most phones now have a caller display included, problem is can't see the blooming thing without me glasses .. :D

Re: A peculiar prank
 

i blow a whistle down the phone if i get a prank call or just leave it on the side and let em pay for a long call!, but knowing your name is scary:(, are you in the phone book?

Re: A peculiar prank
 

If anyone wanted to get hold of me it wouldn't be difficult. My phone number is fairly public.:o

Re: A peculiar prank
 

Phone Perverts Reign Of Terror (from Lancashire Telegraph)

Look at this Gayle. I wonder if this is the fella who rang you:eek:

It says in the article in the link I've posted that he targeted people at random either out of the phone book or having read articles on them in the paper:eek:. He was arrested in a phone box on Tuesday!

Re: A peculiar prank
 

I suppose that's highly possible. Someone else I know had a very disturbing crank call (far more alarming than mine) a few months ago just after their picture appeared in the paper and it's highly possible that whoever it was got my name and number from the paper too!

Interesting.

Re: A peculiar prank
 

Re: A peculiar prank
 

My sister was getting them some years ago even though she was ex-directory, BT told her should would have to pay £30 for a new number. She argued the point that as she was not listed her number should not be available and they changed it free of charge. No problems since:)

Re: A peculiar prank
 

I received theses calls from this pervert,I had a few, it knocked me sideways the things he said were unbelievable, I was reduced to running from my house with my children screaming, crying and shaking, to my neighbour. If anyone knows of anyone else who recieved calls like this please contact the local police 51212 so that the case against him can be made a strong as possible.

Phone Perverts Reign Of Terror (from Lancashire Telegraph)

Re: A peculiar prank
 

That sounds really horrendous, to think that perverts like that get off on terrorising women and especially where children are involved as yours were. They want to lock him up for a long time, it makes me wonder how he would feel if someone did the same to his family. Hope you are able to get over it (though I don't know how you do that) best wishes to you and your children.

Re: A peculiar prank
 

Thank God they've caught the dirty beggar! Terrorising people like that, I wonder what his wife had to say when she found out.:(

Re: A peculiar prank
 

Maybe she will stick by him like the one in the thread posted on the twenty third of August, his wife and church are sticking by him. Sick or what?:mad:

Re: A peculiar prank
 

Which one was that, Bernadette?:confused:

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It is on page three GC, Sex Offender Walks Free, it is beyond belief!:mad:

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I've just had a look. That's terrible. I just can't understand women who stand by their men when they've done something like that.:(

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No neither can I. When you read that it makes your blood boil and it seems highly unlikely that this pervert who has been making the obscene calls will go to prison!:mad:

Re: A peculiar prank
 

That's terrible.:mad:

I hope someone terrorises him to death, and soon.

Re: A peculiar prank
 

I phoned the police this morning. They were very nice about it.