Dealing With Obscene or Annoying Phone Calls
There are a number of things you can do to deal with obscene, annoying, threatening or intimidating calls:
- Hang up the phone as soon as you hear an obscenity improper question or no response. It may take a few times for the caller to understand, but be consistent and hang up every time.
- Don't let the caller know that you are upset or angry.
- Keep a log of the date and time that calls were received and note if the caller is male or female.
- Order Caller I.D. if calls persist and record the number.
- Report obscene or annoying calls to the LCS. Keep the fact that you are receiving these type calls between yourself and the College Staff. Many calls of this type are actually made by friends, family members, even your closest girlfriend or boyfriend.
Beware of "cold calls"
Be careful when the caller says he is taking a survey. If you have any concern about the legitimacy of a person asking for personal information over the phone, ask the person for his name, firm name and telephone number. Say that you will call back after you verify the authenticity of the survey. Some other good tips are:
- Do not reveal personal information, including credit card numbers and social security numbers, to strangers who phone you. This especially includes information about when you will be away from home.
- Beware of people who contact you by telephone seeking information about you, your associates, your friends or your neighbors. Call back to verify that you are talking to a person having a legitimate reason for requiring such information.
- Keep emergency numbers available at all telephones. If you are easily excited, have your address written out and available as well.
- Never record precise information on an answering device about when you will be away or when you anticipate returning. It is also a good idea not to give out the names of the persons living at your residence over the answering machine. The caller will use this information to ask for you, specifically, when calling.
Stay cool and calm
Sometimes, the object of an annoying telephone call is just to make you angry or upset. Don't let the caller know you are upset or angry. Keep your cool and just hang up. Don't extend the call trying to figure out who is calling. This or any type of reaction is exactly what the caller wants.
REPORT THREATS OF PHYSICAL HARM OR VIOLENCE TO THE CAMPUS SAFETY DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY
We take all threats of violence seriously
Immediately after you receive a call in which there are threats of physical harm or violence report the call to the Safety Department or to McMinnville Police Department if you are at home or away from the campus.