Harassing/Annoying Phone Calls

Yes, we’ve all had them, and yes they are annoying. But there are effective ways to deal with these phone calls that we do not want or appreciate. There are several different types of annoying types of calls, and MORE IMPORTANTLY, several different ways to deal with each.

A. Caller With No Real Purpose Other Than To Annoy You (Lewd sexual content / prank calls)

Oregon Revised Statute #166.090 (Telephonic Harassment) states: that the caller must be intentionally harassing or annoying the recipient by causing your phone to ring with no communicative purpose, or calling after being forbidden to do so by the person exercising lawful authority over the receiving phone.

WAYS TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM:

DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT - times, dates, what was said, what characteristics did the callers voice have
If you do not want this person to call again TELL THEM: “Do not call this number again, I’m putting a trace on this call”
Hang up and DIAL *57 (Verizon/GTE customers)
Save any voice mail/answering machine recordings. Note: in Oregon you may record a telephone conversation that you are a party to. You CANNOT record conversations in person UNLESS you tell the other person you are doing so.
If the caller calls back hang up, DIAL *57 again, then call the Police (The Police can retrieve the caller’s number and related information)

B. Caller Is Threatening You Or Your Family

Oregon Revised Statute #166.065 (Harassment) states: the caller is conveying a threat to inflict serious physical injury on that person or to commit a felony involving the person or property of that person or any member of that person’s family.

WAYS TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM :

If you are receiving an imminent (immediate) threat you believe is real, call the Police.

C. Caller Is Ex-Domestic Partner And There Is A History Of Abuse In The Relationship Or Abuse/Threats Of Abuse Now:

Report any and all incidents to the Police and you may apply for a Restraining Order through the Multnomah County Court (503-988-3943)

D. Caller Is Soliciting From A Business You Believe May Be Suspect:
Once again, NEVER give out your personal information on the phone UNLESS you initiated the call.

Call the Better Business Bureau at 503-226-3981 or;
Contact them via the web at www.thebbb.org

OTHER VERIZON SERVICES AVAILABLE:

*69-will repeat the number that called back to you, and give you the option to
call it back (will not work on a “blocked call”)
Dialing *67 before you call someone will hide your number from the person you call. (Note: you may call Verizon and have this service added to your phone for all calls at no charge)
*60- Call Blocking (there is a monthly fee for this service)
The Verizon nuisance call bureau is at 1-800-257-2969