Communication is an invaluable part of human society, and without the telephone in our world today, we’d be without one of the most productive tools the modern world has come to depend on. That isn’t to say that all good comes without its evils, though. While we may use the telephone to communicate with loved family members, friends, coworkers and other associates, there are those that use the telephone for malicious deeds. From the simple crank caller, the annoyances of telemarketers, and con artists that use the telephone to scam you and gain access to personal information, there are scores of people willing to use phones for no good. Knowing what you can do to protect yourself from these threats is essential.
When you receive a call and the caller can’t be identified via Caller ID or has a blocked number, always ask with whom you are speaking to. Make sure it is your number that the caller wanted to access if you are unsure of whom it is. If they ask who you are, never tell the person on the line if they are unable to identify you themselves.
If you perceive someone is prank calling you, never act up. Crank callers take satisfaction in knowing you are upset. Showing signs of being upset or worked up by their attempts to crack you may be laughing, making clever comments, or making any type of sound showing annoyance. The best thing to do when you know someone is crank calling you is to simply hang up the phone. Hang up quietly, avoiding slamming the phone or showing signs of annoyance. Crank callers are after these shows of emotion. Don’t give them the satisfaction of knowing you are upset.
If you are receiving phone calls that could be considered threatening or life endangering, do not hesitate to contact the police. Keep notes of what was said during any conversations with date and time of call, what the number was, and any other details that may help in a police investigation. Depending on the resources of the police department, they may or may not be able to directly help you. In this case, attempt to contact your telephone company for other sources of help. They may be able to block some incoming telephone numbers, or change your telephone number if the harassment doesn’t stop.
Thanks to the No-Can Spam Act, telemarketing is now under harsh review. To stop most telemarketing calls, you can add your name and phone numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry at www.donotcall.gov. Within 1 month, most telemarketing companies will not be able to call you, however, if the calls do continue, one can file a complaint at the same website.
Remember: never give out your name, address, credit card numbers or any other personal information to a caller you don’t know. In most cases, it is just better to hang up without making a peep. A friendly voice isn’t always a friend, and anyone you don’t recognize should identify themselves appropriately. Following these tips should enable you to avoid becoming a victim of telephone scam and abuse.
