Dealing with obscene phone calls

People who make such calls are called scatolophiles. Obscene calls on the phone can be very disturbing and are not only stressful but at times are also frightening. Specially, if you are a single women living alone, as these calls are particularly targeted towards women.

Usually such calls are made randomly by the person who is not aware of your number. Instead of giving your number ask the caller what number does he want and simply hang-up saying wrong number. Children should also be instructed not to reveal any personal information to an unknown person. Avoid making any conversation with the person because your reaction is what the caller wants.

If you do not react most of the time they will not call back. Moreover, install a caller’s id or blow a whistle loudly or make a screeching sound. Although the full effect is not transmitted yet something is better than nothing. If nothing works then change the number and move on. Life is too short to waste on petty things.

However, there are times when the obscene phone calls become too often and the person starts threatening. In such cases, contact the police and your local phone service immediately. There maybe able to offer a remedy but giving you facility of caller id, call blocking or conversation recorder.

It can be a help if while the call continues, you get someone to ring police from another phone. This will help the police to trace the call. But if the problem is trivial or the caller is from other state, the police will not be able to do much.

These calls can make a permanent emotional damage sometimes. Don’t blame yourself; it is not your fault because anyone can be a victim of such harassment. Hence, do not blame yourself.