How to stop unwanted phone calls:

Anyone who has a phone will have, at some point or another, received numerous unwanted phone calls - whether from pesky telemarketers, prank callers, or obscene callers. How do you stop obscene and harassing phone calls? Some effective methods to report, track, and put an end to such unwanted phone calls.

One of the first steps is to identify who's calling you.  If you can't tell who the caller is, it's a good idea to check the number using Phone Detective.  This reverse lookup service can let you know the name or company that's calling, as well as if the call is coming from a cell phone or land line, and where the caller is located.

Step 1

Reporting unwanted calls. If you are receiving unwanted phone calls, immediately report the matter to your phone company. In some cases, phone companies would prefer that you also file a report with the local police authorities, especially if the calls are obscene or threatening in any manner. Often, phone companies may not want to take any action if you've received just one call; therefore, it makes sense to keep track of the several instances in which you've received such calls, record them, if possible.

Step 2

Setting up traps or call traces. There are two methods by which your phone company can help you identify and trace unwanted or harassing phone calls, in order to stop them. A "trap" can be set on your telephone line, for a period of not more than a fortnight, to trace the origin of your unwanted calls. You will be required to maintain a detailed log listing the dates and times of each individual call.

A "call trace", on the other hand, is an easier method than placing traps, since you don't need to keep any logs. Instead, all you have to do is to dial *57 on your phone immediately after receiving an unwanted call. Those who have rotary dials can use 1157 to trace the call. The downside of call trace is that it works only within the local phone network area, so if you are receiving the call from an external jurisdiction, you will not be able to trace its origin.

Any information that is collected by the phone company from either a trap or call trace is not given to you, but forwarded to local law enforcement, who will then follow up and take the necessary action. These methods are also useless, if the caller uses various phone booths or many phone lines to avoid detection.

Step 3

Dealing with unwanted calls by yourself. When you receive unwanted phone calls, you might be tempted to get angry and start shouting at the caller. Instead, simply disconnect each time you receive such a call; do not encourage the caller by talking to him or her.

Step 4

Using an answering machine or voice mail service. Using an answering machine to screen your calls, or allowing all calls to go to a voice mail service is a couple of good ideas to stop or avoid unwanted calls. If you are getting too many unwanted, obscene or harassing calls, do not answer the phone each time it rings. Allow the machine or voice mail to pick up all calls and record the contents, for further investigation by the Phone Company or local police.  If you think you will want to go to the police, it also helps to keep a written log of the date and time each call came in.  Keep this in a safe place along with your answering machine tapes or voice mail recordings, and take everything with you when you go to make your complaint.

Step 5

Get an unlisted number. If the number of unwanted calls is getting to be unbearable and you've been unable to trace and resolve this problem; get a new number for your use and do not list or publish it. Give the new number to only to trusted people such as family and friends.

Step 6

Other measures. These are basic common sense solutions meant to prevent unwanted calls.

• Do not disclose any personal information, including telephone numbers, to people you do not know.
• Women usually are the target of obscene or harassing phone calls, do not list your full name in the phone directory. Only use the first letter of your given name as an initial along with the surname.

• When someone calls and asks to confirm the number they've dialed, don't rattle away your number, and instead ask the caller who or what number they are looking for.
• Take the time to block unwanted calls to your cell phone as well as your land line.
• If you have children at home instruct them not to give out any information if they happen to pick up the phone. Tell them to collect details such as name of the caller and telephone number, and note down such details along with the time and date of the calls.
• Don't include telephone numbers in any of your answering machine or voice mail message.