Obscene phone calls

[Beach Runner]

Several colleagues and I received obscene phone calls today. The person called for info about degree requirements. Then I heard what seemed like crying in the background. I continued to talk to this person, and the background noise got louder and began to sound like a female in a porn film. I told the potential "student" that I had a meeting to attend (true -- I was already 10 minutes late due to the call), so if he needed more info he could email me (he had already asked for my email address).

I felt so dirty and violated.

After I terminated the call, I called the switchboard. Apparently caller ID doesn't show phone numbers coming in from a tie line. The switchboard operator said that this has been going on for years although it stopped for a few years, so she speculated that the perp was in jail until recently. We have never been informed of this. I asked the new VP to call the police and make sure that the technology to trace calls is implemented. He has agreed.

I attract perverts, so it has happened to me many times. For example, when hubby traveled on business, I didn't want to cook, and Beach Jacket wasn't involved in basketball, she and I would go to the club for dinner (about 1/2 mile away). On those nights I started getting obscene phone calls. It turned out that the calls were coming from a waiter at the country club.

Have any of you ever been subjected to this?

 

[Matt J]

Several colleagues and I received obscene phone calls today. The person called for info about degree requirements. Then I heard what seemed like crying in the background. I continued to talk to this person, and the background noise got louder and began to sound like a female in a porn film. I told the potential "student" that I had a meeting to attend (true -- I was already 10 minutes late due to the call), so if he needed more info he could email me (he had already asked for my email address).

I felt so dirty and violated.

After I terminated the call, I called the switchboard. Apparently caller ID doesn't show phone numbers coming in from a tie line. The switchboard operator said that this has been going on for years although it stopped for a few years, so she speculated that the perp was in jail until recently. We have never been informed of this. I asked the new VP to call the police and make sure that the technology to trace calls is implemented. He has agreed.

I attract perverts, so it has happened to me many times. For example, when hubby traveled on business, I didn't want to cook, and Beach Jacket wasn't involved in basketball, she and I would go to the club for dinner (about 1/2 mile away). On those nights I started getting obscene phone calls. It turned out that the calls were coming from a waiter at the country club.

Have any of you ever been subjected to this?

I would suggest tipping better.

I've gotten a few over the years. Some of them clearly directed at me and a few that were clearly just random numbers. The phone number we had growing up in Tallahassee was 893-SUCK, I only learned this when I was placing a prank call, got a busy signal, and when I hung up the phone rang back. My sister pointed out a year ago that the full phone number was 8WE-SUCK. True story.

BR, on the phone tracing thing most large phone systems can have a Trace button installed on any phone, it immediately starts recording the call. We had them at SallieMae and Nextel for bomb threats, irate customers, and anything that sounded threatening. In some cases it was used to escalate calls to our "special borrowers" department. The case I got escalated was a guy who claimed the University of Chicago was stealing his financial aid to allow illegal immigrants and terrorists to attend college there.

 

[Beach Runner]

I would suggest tipping better.

I've gotten a few over the years. Some of them clearly directed at me and a few that were clearly just random numbers. The phone number we had growing up in Tallahassee was 893-SUCK, I only learned this when I was placing a prank call, got a busy signal, and when I hung up the phone rang back. My sister pointed out a year ago that the full phone number was 8WE-SUCK. True story.

BR, on the phone tracing thing most large phone systems can have a Trace button installed on any phone, it immediately starts recording the call. We had them at SallieMae and Nextel for bomb threats, irate customers, and anything that sounded threatening. In some cases it was used to escalate calls to our "special borrowers" department. The case I got escalated was a guy who claimed the University of Chicago was stealing his financial aid to allow illegal immigrants and terrorists to attend college there.

Thanks for the info. I will communicate this to the VP. It seems that everyone has been told that these calls can't be traced. Bullsh--.

 

[Matt J]

Thanks for the info. I will communicate this to the VP. It seems that everyone has been told that these calls can't be traced. Bullsh--.

Depends entirely on your phone system, but generally large systems used by a University should have this option. It could be cost.

 

[John R]

CID should be a minimum at a school.

 

[Kurt]

The only obscene calls I get are from politicians seeking votes.

 

[DD]

The only obscene calls I get are from politicians seeking votes.

NS.

 

[DuneAHH]

The only obscene calls I get are from politicians seeking votes.

Good One

 

[AndrewG]

I would suggest tipping better.

 

[Teresa]

I would suggest not answering the phone. now that we use cell phones for most of our communication, we know who is calling and I am in a habit of never taking a call unless I know who is calling. this may not be acceptable at work, but why not screen calls? why be on the phone with anyone unless there is a purpose.