How to Handle a Threatening Phone Call

If you receive a call from a person stating there is a bomb in your office building, you'll know what to do after you read this article.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Office Procedure on threats
• Calm voice

How to Handle a Threatening Phone Call

1. Slowly and deliberately repeat the threat to the person. "You said there is a bomb in the building?" Ask when it is going to explode, where it is in the building and when it was placed in the building. You may or may not get replies. Write down what he says because you will be nervous.
2. Hopefully, someone nearby will have heard you repeat the threat and get on the phone to administration. Administrators will determine if and when the building needs evacuation and they will call the police agency in charge of the area.
3. Normally, someone from administration will show up at your desk. If you still have the caller on the line, the administrator will help you through the call.
4. Most importantly, follow the directives of your company or agency. Most places of business have procedures in place and questions you need to ask in a directory for your use.

Tips & Warnings

• Remain as calm as you can. This is a difficult call to take so pull our your handbook and read the questions, then write down the answers.
• Once you are off the phone follow the directions of management.
• It is important not to create a panic. People receiving a threatening call should be careful to speak quietly. If you can pass a note to a co-worker to call administration, do it. Remind your co-worker to keep this to himself.

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