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Anyone know how to stop nuisance calls to one's home phone?

  • 02-02-2012 05:19PM
    #1
    Estelindis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 ✭


    Hey all. I've suffered phone harrassment by a former friend for some years now. I managed to get her number blocked from my mobile a while ago, but she has since switched to calling my family's home phone. Last night she called three times, at roughly 12:30am, 3am and 5am. My dad is eighty and a very light sleeper, and her calls always wake him.

    Does anyone know what I can do to stop this?

    I have contacted Imagine (our phone and internet provider) and they say they can't do what Meteor did in blocking her number from my mobile, that it works differently for landlines. They gave me a number for the Nuisance Calls Bureau, but it turned out to be an Eircom facility and when I told the lady on the other end of the line that I wasn't an Eircom customer she said that she couldn't help me.

    As for the Gardaí, I spoke to them before and they say that if she's not physically threatening me then they can't do anything. (She makes wild, aggressive accusations, and says she's going to bring me to court or get me thrown out of my university - which she also sometimes calls - in response to imaginary crimes she claims I have committed against her person, but never makes any physical threats.)

    Please help. I need to protect my family's wellbeing from this woman. I know she just does all this because she's mentally unwell and I feel sorry for her, but I still need to stop her from being able to have a negative impact on our lives.

    I do not see changing our home phone number as an optimal solution, since my parents have many old friends around the world whose only point of contact is that number.

    Thanks for any helpful advice you can offer!


«1

Comments

  • #2
    dory
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 4,720 Mod ✭✭✭✭dory


    Take it off the hook at night? In an emergency tell people to call mobiles.


  • #3
    yeppydeppy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,170 ✭✭✭yeppydeppy


    Wrong forum.

    AH response: blast her with piss!


  • #4
    Joekers
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,272 ✭✭✭Joekers


    Blast the bitch with piss


  • #5
    Estelindis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 ✭Estelindis


    yeppydeppy wrote: »
    Wrong forum.

    I'm sorry, but this place has a huge number of forums, and I wasn't sure what the right one would be.

    dory wrote: »
    Take it off the hook at night? In an emergency tell people to call mobiles.

    I guess that's a possibility, though she does call during the day as well.


  • #6
    Mr.Biscuits
    Closed Accounts Posts: 750 ✭✭✭Mr.Biscuits


    Get them to change their number. they can let their friends know sure.


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  • #7
    _feedback_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,274 ✭✭✭_feedback_


    Estelindis wrote: »
    Thanks for any helpful advice you can offer!

    The problem is, you wont get much of that in this forum!

    Janey, you'd imagine that it must be possible to block her.

    Have you tried looking for a phone handset that might be capable of doing it? (rather than the service provider)


    EDIT: Did a search on that and it seems it is possible. This handset allows you to block calls. That link is only shipped to US, but the technology is available.
    Block Unwanted Calls
    Store the Caller ID info of any and all unwanted callers into your phone's Call Block list so that you can eliminate future pesky calls. After the information is stored, those unwanted callers will receive a busy signal when they call you again.


  • #8
    Doc Ruby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭Doc Ruby


    Estelindis wrote: »
    As for the Gardaí, I spoke to them before and they say that if she's not physically threatening me then they can't do anything.
    That's definetely not true, the guards have wide latitude when it comes to dealing with this stuff. Keep pushing them and make sure your complaints are written down by them.


  • #9
    El Horseboxo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,354 ✭✭✭El Horseboxo


    Contact comreg I think. Seen that mentioned about a bit in forums. Probably more so for companies cold calling and that though.


  • #10
    Estelindis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 ✭Estelindis


    elviscostello wrote: »
    The problem is, you wont get much of that in this forum!

    Janey, you'd imagine that it must be possible to block her.

    Have you tried looking for a phone handset that might be capable of doing it? (rather than the service provider)
    *shakes head, smiling* You know, I really did look at the big list of forums, but none of them seemed right, and I got the impression this was a kind of general discussion place. Again, apologies for the mistake.

    Your suggestion about the handset is a good one, thanks.


  • #11
    dilallio
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,728 ✭✭✭dilallio


    http://www.askcomreg.ie/home/links.asp

    There's a no for a Nuisance Call Bureau listed in Dublin.


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  • #12
    Estelindis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 ✭Estelindis


    dilallio wrote: »
    http://www.askcomreg.ie/home/links.asp

    There's a no for a Nuisance Call Bureau listed in Dublin.

    That's exactly the number I called, as mentioned in my post, which was answered with a "Hello, Eircom." And I'm not with Eircom, so they wouldn't help me. Thanks, though!


  • #13
    FatherLen
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,808 ✭✭✭FatherLen


    you should find her and beat her face


  • #14
    _feedback_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,274 ✭✭✭_feedback_


    Estelindis wrote: »
    *shakes head, smiling* You know, I really did look at the big list of forums, but none of them seemed right, and I got the impression this was a kind of general discussion place. Again, apologies for the mistake.

    Your suggestion about the handset is a good one, thanks.

    It's just a bit of a jokey forum, so was warning about the silly replies you'll get :)

    Added bit more info to that post. Seems to be possible alright!


  • #15
    Mr Benevolent
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,433 ✭✭✭✭Mr Benevolent


    Change your phone number? Stop using the landline?


  • #16
    Estelindis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 ✭Estelindis


    Doc Ruby wrote: »
    That's definetely not true, the guards have wide latitude when it comes to dealing with this stuff. Keep pushing them and make sure your complaints are written down by them.

    Hmm. I'm not sure about this, since I got pretty much the same "you're not seriously taking up police time with this, are you?" attitude both times I tried to report this, in different stations and years apart. But perhaps I was just unlucky and/or insufficiently persistent.


  • #17
    Fear Uladh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 810 ✭✭✭Fear Uladh


    Have you tried an arrow to the knee?


  • #18
    Estelindis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 ✭Estelindis


    Fear Uladh wrote: »
    Have you tried an arrow to the knee?

    Well, you see, she's never been an adventurer... :P

    Anyway, if this is the wrong forum, could someone please tell me which forum would be correct? I apologise for not just knowing, or being able to work it out, but this community is huge.


  • #19
    CardBordWindow
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,209 ✭✭✭CardBordWindow


    Get an answering machine. That way you will have a log of all the nuisance calls that you can present to the Gardaí.


  • #20
    cock robin
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 724 ✭✭✭cock robin


    Estelindis wrote: »
    Hey all. I've suffered phone harrassment by a former friend for some years now. I managed to get her number blocked from my mobile a while ago, but she has since switched to calling my family's home phone. Last night she called three times, at roughly 12:30am, 3am and 5am. My dad is eighty and a very light sleeper, and her calls always wake him.

    Does anyone know what I can do to stop this?

    I have contacted Imagine (our phone and internet provider) and they say they can't do what Meteor did in blocking her number from my mobile, that it works differently for landlines. They gave me a number for the Nuisance Calls Bureau, but it turned out to be an Eircom facility and when I told the lady on the other end of the line that I wasn't an Eircom customer she said that she couldn't help me.

    As for the Gardaí, I spoke to them before and they say that if she's not physically threatening me then they can't do anything. (She makes wild, aggressive accusations, and says she's going to bring me to court or get me thrown out of my university - which she also sometimes calls - in response to imaginary crimes she claims I have committed against her person, but never makes any physical threats.)

    Please help. I need to protect my family's wellbeing from this woman. I know she just does all this because she's mentally unwell and I feel sorry for her, but I still need to stop her from being able to have a negative impact on our lives.

    I do not see changing our home phone number as an optimal solution, since my parents have many old friends around the world whose only point of contact is that number.

    Thanks for any helpful advice you can offer!

    Hell hath no fury than a woman scourned. If she is bonkers and we only have your word for it then explain the situation to your family and at least make them aware of it. Otherwise your just going to keep hiding from her. The other solution is to creep up behind her and belt her over the bonce with a spade **'pang'** and then blast her with piss.


  • #21
    Doc Ruby
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,956 ✭✭✭Doc Ruby


    Estelindis wrote: »
    Hmm. I'm not sure about this, since I got pretty much the same "you're not seriously taking up police time with this, are you?" attitude both times I tried to report this, in different stations and years apart. But perhaps I was just unlucky and/or insufficiently persistent.
    It would take them about an hour to call round to her and sort it out. Tell them you feel personally threatened and your family is at risk. If that doesn't work take it to the district court and the judge will hand down a temporary safety and protection order at the hearing, the Irish equivalent of a barring order. Then there will be a second hearing with her present at which it will almost certainly be made permanent.

    Keep records of every call and everything said. Hell, even record the calls and tell her you are doing so.


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  • #22
    Seachmall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,041 ✭✭✭Seachmall


    You say you're with imagine? Is it a VOIP service? As far as I'm aware their VOIP system should give them complete control when blocking calls coming to you.

    If it's not VOIP take a look at the packages they offer, decent prices (for phones and internet) and should, I'd imagine, solve your problem.


  • #23
    Rabidlamb
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 2,202 ✭✭✭Rabidlamb


    Set up a redirect at night from your parents phone to your mobile.
    You've already blocked her from your mobile so your gravy.

    Alternatively, set up a redirect at night from your parents phone to an premium service line, €2.50 a minute call charges should do the trick.


  • #24
    davet82
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,753 ✭✭✭davet82


    buy a really loud whistle and burst her ear drum next time she calls?


  • #25
    tigger123
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,815 ✭✭✭tigger123


    FatherLen wrote: »
    you should find her and beat her face

    That's very harsh Father.


  • #26
    Estelindis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 ✭Estelindis


    cock robin wrote: »
    Hell hath no fury than a woman scourned. If she is bonkers and we only have your word for it then explain the situation to your family and at least make them aware of it. Otherwise your just going to keep hiding from her. The other solution is to creep up behind her and belt her over the bonce with a spade **'pang'** and then blast her with piss.
    My parents understand the situation fully, thanks. I would never hide that sort of thing from them (not that I could as even the staff at university figured our that she was not well after a few calls and they had never met her whereas my parents had).


  • #27
    Fear Uladh
    Closed Accounts Posts: 810 ✭✭✭Fear Uladh


    Estelindis wrote: »
    Well, you see, she's never been an adventurer... :P

    Anyway, if this is the wrong forum, could someone please tell me which forum would be correct? I apologise for not just knowing, or being able to work it out, but this community is huge.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=264


  • #28
    Estelindis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 ✭Estelindis


    Seachmall wrote: »
    You say you're with imagine? Is it a VOIP service? As far as I'm aware their VOIP system should give them complete control when blocking calls coming to you.

    If it's not VOIP take a look at the packages they offer, decent prices (for phones and internet) and should, I'd imagine, solve your problem.
    No, it's a regular landline service. We thought about WiMax (if that's what you're talking about) but decided not to go with it because we wouldn't be able to make calls if the electricity went out (though I maintained that this was what mobiles are for, but that was dad's take on things). However, if switching to WiMax could allow us to block her number, we would do it in a heartbeat. Strange that Imagine didn't mention this possibility to us when I contacted them!


  • #29
    Seachmall
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,041 ✭✭✭Seachmall


    Estelindis wrote: »
    However, if switching to WiMax could allow us to block her number, we would do it in a heartbeat. Strange that Imagine didn't mention this possibility to us when I contacted them!

    Give them a call and ask them, I'm 99% sure it allows them to block numbers (as well as a bunch of other cool stuff).


  • #30
    Estelindis
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30 ✭Estelindis


    Fear Uladh wrote: »
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=264
    Haha. ;) Ironically, I am already qualified in aikido and ju-jitsu, and I have seen her attempt a martial art or two... which is another part of why I feel in no way physically threatened by her. Thanks for the smile, though. :)


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  • #31
    Herb Powell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,097 ✭✭✭Herb Powell


    She can't call you if she's dead.
    If you get what I mean.


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