Suggestions Needed for Prank Caller?

[LuxLiving]

Sorry, OFF TOPIC: I need you guys to give me some suggestions on a prank caller - it is someone that my sons have worked with and he is calling and intimating that he's got double-dates set up with CashHappySon, but I know for a fact that isn't the case. CashHappy has one girl who he believes is 'the one'.
Telling me things like "I am _____'s best friend." (I'm thinking: Well, bull roar, his brother is his best friend and we know where our boys are every night.) My kids were homeschooled, we are VERY close and no, he isn't on the prowl when we aren't aware.

"When is CashHappy coming home?" I'm not going to tell you that.

(thinking - Well, doggies, if you were such good friends you'd know that.)

"I'm going to hook him up with some hot chicks tonight."

CLICK!

Kid has called twice in the last 24 hours (Hubster caught phone last night) and I just need to be ready when he calls again. GAAAA!! I don't like being played.

Suggestions???

This boy works with FrugalSon now, but I am not willing to confront him at F.Sons workplace.

[creditcardfree]

Originally Posted by LuxLiving

I don't like being played.
Suggestions???

Don't play the game. Don't pick up the phone when he calls...use caller id or monitor your answering machine.

Threaten to call his parents? Not sure if this works with all kids.

[LuxLiving]

That would work however we've no caller id, no answering machine.

I'm thinking because of other things (long ugly stories) that have happened he is wanting to see what kind of rise & reaction he can get from the parental units.

[creditcardfree]

How about reverse psychology..."oh, how nice of you to call and let me know" in your sweetest voice? Not the reaction he's looking to get I would expect.

[pearlieq]

The game's no fun if he has no one to play with. As soon as you can identify it's him, hang up.

If he persists, contact the police.

What a nuisance!

[tinapbeana]

hehehehe! try an air horn, or a whistle, when you know it's him.

[Broken Arrow]

I would look into at least an answering machine. They're quite useful and quite cheap nowadays. Around $20 I think. I would just let it pickup phones from now on.

Whatever it is, it would appear that he wants to get under your skin, so the last thing you want to do is to play into his hands. Trust me on this. The best response is absolutely no response, no matter how tempting or clever it is.

[Ima saver]

I agree with the answering machine. I get so many telemarketer calls, that I never answer the phone, I let the machine get it.

[JanH]

I've had the caller tell me that my mother was in the hospital and they were calling me for her. They just wanted to get me all upset. But I know that my brother would be the one calling me because he lives near her, so I just told them that they weren't calling for my mother. They wouldn't answer to my calmly asking what hospital in what state, since they really didn't know what the answer would be. They were the ones that got flustered and hung up. Then I call my parents to make sure they are okay. This has happened to me a couple of times. They like to upset you. I can't understand people like this. Maybe answering "whatever" would send the ball back into his court and he'll give up.

[PrincessPerky]

I am guessing he wants attention and fun, Two options pop into my head....

1.bore him 'mmm, oh, I dunno'

2.Or try to be his friend...'really who are you going with, what is she like, how was your day, what do you have planned.."

either way leave the talking to him, you want to show no emotion for the first option and nothing but sympathy for the poor bored troubled soul. on the second. (try a prayer or mantra of love while biting your toung...)

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

If this "kid" is really a minor, or if he is 18 years+ but lives with parents, I'm thinking maybe you should tell his parents if this goes on.

Have you told your sons that the guy is doing this? They might have some insight.

It does sound a bit "troubled" to me--- Peculiarly immature for a young man who is old enough to date.

I do think that matter-of-factly telling him that he does not have permission to call your phone is in order.

If it is getting bad enough that you want police help, I think the way to do it is to call your phone service provider. When someone was harassing my sister, the phone company was able to help, though I forget exactly what they did. But it was effective.

[puppypal]

What about completely blocking his number. I think there is a service like *69 that for a small fee it will give you the last number that called you? Then call the phone company and ask them to block the number..... Or better yet call the number and tell his parents

[Broken Arrow]

I'm very sorry to disagree with everyone who is only trying to be helpful here.

But, Lux, please listen to me. There is only one response that works here, and that is to give them Absolutely Nothing. Don't even try to give prank callers like this ANY kind of response. ANY. To respond is to acknowledge their existence, their sense of self-importance, and most importantly, confirms that their ploy is actually working. Which means, they'll continue to do it. To them, it doesn't even matter what your reaction is. Just so long as you keep talking to them.

Trust me on this. I know their kind. These tactics are very similar to stalkers, not just jealous suitors. Please remember that these are not rational people you're dealing with. You won't discourage them at all by talking to them. If anything, you will only encourage them to keep calling... and more often.

However, blocking their phone number or pressing charges are adequate alternatives.

Oh, and one last thought. Please be sure to have a way to document everything that has happened. The easiest way to do this to buy the old kind of answering machine that uses tape, and just keep tapes of the prank calls around. You never know if or when something like that will come in handy later. Ok?

Ok, I've said my piece. I won't harp on this anymore. Please take care.

[LuxLiving]

I am of a mind to agree with you BA, and yes, Joan of A - this boy does have other troubled problems.

You just get caught unexpectedly and want to say something *snappy and direct* at the moment.

A good solid sound of a click will be my response and if I get another one then I'll be dragging out some of the old answering machine phones that are likely still stuck somewhere in the attic or basement or investing in something newer. Thanks everyone for the advice.

[tabbycat31]

next time you get the call, *69 him (it costs per time you use it) and say "I know where you're calling from"

[boefixepa]

I'd just have the number blocked. Call the phone company and ask them the code. Also contact the police department. Tell them the long story and ask for their advice on how to handle the situation.

[tabbycat31]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

I agree with the answering machine. I get so many telemarketer calls, that I never answer the phone, I let the machine get it.

www.donotcall.gov

signing up for that list is the best thing I did, especially since I had telemarketers calling my cellphone (also illegal, and I let them know it)

[nanamom]

I would answer my phone with something unique, like "Praise the Lord" I used to do that in college and I got very few prank calls while people around me got lots. If they persisted I began to ask if they knew how much God loves them and practice a sermon or two. It discouraged many wierd callers.

[tgavin71]

Originally Posted by nanamom

I would answer my phone with something unique, like "Praise the Lord" I used to do that in college and I got very few prank calls while people around me got lots. If they persisted I began to ask if they knew how much God loves them and practice a sermon or two. It discouraged many wierd callers.

Lol. Cacking myself laughing. Bet you got some interesting replies.

I usually just say. Can you hold for a minute please? And put the phone down and walk away for 10 minutes. They get sick of waiting and hang up.