How to Deal with Prank Calls

How to Deal with Prank Calls

Learn effective steps to handle and stop annoying or harassing prank calls, from ignoring them to blocking numbers and contacting authorities.

Prank calls can be irritating and annoying, and on rare occasions, they might even escalate to harassment. Stop prank calls from interrupting your day by following these steps:

1. Determine what kind of prank call you are receiving. There are different types of prank calls. You might get the occasional call from a stranger telling a joke, or you might find yourself answering repetitive hang-up calls in the middle of the night. You might even notice calls from an ex or calls directed at your teenager. Be wary of this last type; they are personal and may escalate.
2. Ignore the calls. If you receive an occasional prank call or hang-up, it is not worth your time or energy to do anything about it. Hang up or screen your calls by letting them go to voicemail. If ignoring them does not work, move on to the next steps.
3. Use caller ID. Caller ID is available on both home phones and cell phones—use it. Then, ignore calls from blocked numbers, unidentified numbers, or numbers you know belong to the prank caller.
4. Set custom ringtones. If you are getting calls from a persistent number or unknown callers, assign a silent or specific ringtone on your cell phone for numbers not listed in your directory. That way, anyone you do not want to hear from will ring with that distinct tone, signaling you not to answer.
5. When ignoring doesn't work, take action. The first action you can take is to block the number. If you know the number calling you, you can block it directly on your cell phone, or call your phone company and ask them to block the number.
6. Change your number. It might be a hassle to change your phone number, but sometimes that is the only way to stop the calls. Once you have changed your number, only give it out to people you trust.
7. Get help. If none of the previous steps are working and you are at your wit's end, there is a good chance that the prank calls have become more than harmless fun. Contact your phone company to report that you are being harassed, and request to have your number unlisted. Then, if necessary, call the police.

Prank calls can interrupt a date or a relaxing evening at home. Follow these steps to manage them, but remember: if the calls escalate beyond harmless pranks, you need to seek professional help.