How to Deal With Harassing Cell Phone Calls
Harassing cell phone calls can be annoying and frightening. Unlike traditional landlines, you cannot block incoming calls on a cell phone. Fortunately, as of 2009 there are 44 states with laws that explicitly include cell phones and other forms of electronic communications in their anti-harassment statutes. Consequently, consumers have a significant number of legal remedies to use in combating harassing cell phone calls.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Keep a record of each harassing cell phone call, particularly any calls made after you asked the caller to stop. You should include the time and length of the call as well as the phone number and name of the company and caller (if possible).
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2
File a report with the police. Provide the police with the record of harassing phone calls you have received, and provide any other details about the harassing calls.
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3
Contact your cell phone provider and request information on the identity of the harassing caller. Be sure to provide the cell phone carrier with your log of harassing calls as well as the police report you filed. If the cell phone carrier refuses to release the identity of the caller, you should ask your lawyer to file a subpoena requesting the information.
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4
Provide the identity of the caller to the police and ask that they conduct an investigation. In most cases you will be able to pursue criminal charges against the caller if you choose to do so.
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5
File a lawsuit against the harassing caller and, if applicable, his company.
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6
File a complaint with the local chamber of commerce and with the Better Business Bureau if the caller is making the harassing calls on behalf of a company.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Call the police immediately if you feel that your personal safety is threatened. Do not wait to contact the police if the harassing caller makes specific threats against you.
