Blocking calls from a specific number?

**JohnEnglish** · 05-06-2012, 09:01 PM

My sister is getting harassing phone calls. She called Fido but they said they don't do that and to call the police. They also told her she could change her number, for a fee.

She spoke to the police and they said unless their threatening they can't do anything about it. All they can do is file a report for future reference.

The calls aren't threatening, just silence on the other end or sometimes the guys asks her why she doesn't want to talk with him and stuff like that. He usually calls her at least once a day. Most of the time she doesn't answer but that hasn't stopped him.

**Guest 252** · 05-06-2012, 09:36 PM

Originally Posted by JohnEnglish

My sister is getting harassing phone calls. She called Fido but they said they don't do that and to call the police. They also told her she could change her number, for a fee.

She spoke to the police and they said unless their threatening they can't do anything about it. All they can do is file a report for future reference.

The calls aren't threatening, just silence on the other end or sometimes the guys asks her why she doesn't want to talk with him and stuff like that. He usually calls her at least once a day. Most of the time she doesn't answer but that hasn't stopped him.

Is it an Android phone? On my Galaxy Note there is a ban sign and I just press it and never get another call from that person. Now thats provided you know the incoming number of course so that you can enter it into your contacts.

**Ian Brantford** · 05-06-2012, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by JohnEnglish

My sister is getting harassing phone calls. She called Fido but they said they don't do that and to call the police. They also told her she could change her number, for a fee.

She spoke to the police and they said unless their threatening they can't do anything about it. All they can do is file a report for future reference.

Right. That's better than nothing. Both she and you should have the number of that report on hand at all times. She should keep a timestamped log of all the calls as objective evidence in case the situation escalates.

Best wishes.

**JohnEnglish** · 05-06-2012, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by Whatever2009

Is it an Android phone? On my Galaxy Note there is a ban sign and I just press it and never get another call from that person. Now thats provided you know the incoming number of course so that you can enter it into your contacts.

No, it's an iPhone 4.

**ceredon** · 05-06-2012, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by JohnEnglish

My sister is getting harassing phone calls. She called Fido but they said they don't do that and to call the police. They also told her she could change her number, for a fee.

She spoke to the police and they said unless their threatening they can't do anything about it. All they can do is file a report for future reference.

The calls aren't threatening, just silence on the other end or sometimes the guys asks her why she doesn't want to talk with him and stuff like that. He usually calls her at least once a day. Most of the time she doesn't answer but that hasn't stopped him.

I would try the police again. Maybe this time if they refuse to accept a report of harassment you could try reading the section of the Criminal Code of Canada that would seem to apply.

Criminal Harassment
264. (1) No person shall, without lawful authority and knowing that another person is harassed or recklessly as to whether the other person is harassed, engage in conduct referred to in subsection (2) that causes that other person reasonably, in all the circumstances, to fear for their safety or the safety of anyone known to them.
Prohibited conduct
(2) The conduct mentioned in subsection (1) consists of:
(a) repeatedly following from place to place the other person or anyone known to them;
(b) repeatedly communicating with, either directly or indirectly, the other person or anyone known to them;
(c) besetting or watching the dwelling-house, or place where the other person, or anyone known to them, resides, works, carries on business or happens to be; or
(d) engaging in threatening conduct directed at the other person or any member of their family.”
Punishment:
The offence is a hybrid offence, so it can be prosecuted as either a summary conviction or an indictable offence. The maximum jail time, if an offender is convicted is ten years.

http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/fv-v.../ch_e-hc_a.pdf

Seems pretty clear cut, assuming you have presented the facts as they actually are. Harassment doesn't have to be explicitly threatening in order to be illegal. That why there is a specific section about criminal harassment in addition to the laws against unlawful threats and intimidation. Don't get pissy with the cops, but it might help to point them to the right section of the applicable law.

And don't expect any help from Rogers. They don't make money from preventing your sister from being harassed so it isn't in their interest to to anything (except suggest ways they can make some money off the situation, like changing numbers).

**JohnEnglish** · 05-06-2012, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by Ian Brantford

Right. That's better than nothing. Both she and you should have the number of that report on hand at all times. She should keep a timestamped log of all the calls as objective evidence in case the situation escalates.

Best wishes.

I don't understand why they won't block the number. Basically, everyone is telling her to "deal with it" unless the guy becomes threatening.

**JohnEnglish** · 05-06-2012, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by ceredon

I would try the police again. Maybe this time if they refuse to accept a report of harassment you could try reading the section of the Criminal Code of Canada that would seem to apply.

http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/fv-v.../ch_e-hc_a.pdf

Seems pretty clear cut, assuming you have presented the facts as they actually are. Harassment doesn't have to be explicitly threatening in order to be illegal. That why there is a specific section about criminal harassment in addition to the laws against unlawful threats and intimidation. Don't get pissy with the cops, but it might help to point them to the right section of the applicable law.

And don't expect any help from Rogers. They don't make money from preventing your sister from being harassed so it isn't in their interest to to anything (except suggest ways they can make some money off the situation, like changing numbers).

She's not in "fear for [her] safety or the safety of anyone known to [her]" which seems to be the key issue. It's annoying and creepy, but she's not scared of the guy.

It's not the police refused to accept a report, it's just that they said unless the calls are threatening there's nothing they can really do about it other then take a report.

**ceredon** · 05-06-2012, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by JohnEnglish

She's not in "fear for [her] safety or the safety of anyone known to [her]" which seems to be the key issue. It's annoying and creepy, but she's not scared of the guy.

Really? That's either very brave or very naive. Most guys that exhibit that sort of harassing/stalking behaviour aren't all there which is why laws were passed and amended for these situations.

Hopefully it all works out and doesn't escalate. Try the calling blocking apps suggested by others if she has an Android.

**Ian Brantford** · 05-06-2012, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by JohnEnglish

I don't understand why they won't block the number. Basically, everyone is telling her to "deal with it" unless the guy becomes threatening.

I don't think that it's a service that they offer. That's all that there is to it from a carrier's perspective. If legal action is being taken, the carrier can help by providing evidence to law enforcement. However, that's merely the copying of information, not interception of service.

Again, caution is warranted. The caller is behaving irrationally. There is little reason to think that this is going to improve anytime soon, while there is reason to think that it will get worse. Maybe it won't, but keeping a log of what's happening will be important if legal action is required. It's better to have this information and not need it than to fail to get help for the lack of cause.

**reveries3** · 05-07-2012, 01:23 AM

Someone online suggested specifically setting the ringtone for when that number calls to silent - he suggested recording thirty seconds of silence in garageband. An odd temporary solution, but worth considering. At least she won't be bothered by the phone ringing.

Sent from my HTC Panache using HowardForums

**hohohong** · 05-07-2012, 04:32 AM

If she can JB her iPhone, then i highly recommend iBlackList. I can send busy signal when he call or SMS again.

**JohnEnglish** · 05-07-2012, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by ceredon

Really? That's either very brave or very naive. Most guys that exhibit that sort of harassing/stalking behaviour aren't all there which is why laws were passed and amended for these situations.

Hopefully it all works out and doesn't escalate. Try the calling blocking apps suggested by others if she has an Android.

Well as I said, the police as her if he was directly threatening her life and/or if she was in fear for her life and she (honestly) said "no" so there's nothing that can be done. I suppose she could have said yes but if the calls were recorded it would be pretty obvious that there wasn't anything threatening being said.

**JohnEnglish** · 05-07-2012, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by hohohong

If she can JB her iPhone, then i highly recommend iBlackList. I can send busy signal when he call or SMS again.

Yeah she jail broke her iPhone. I'll tell her to check that out.

**Ian Brantford** · 05-07-2012, 10:20 PM

Originally Posted by JohnEnglish

Well as I said, the police as her if he was directly threatening her life and/or if she was in fear for her life and she (honestly) said "no" so there's nothing that can be done. I suppose she could have said yes but if the calls were recorded it would be pretty obvious that there wasn't anything threatening being said.

He doesn't have to directly threaten her. He's already satisfied section 2b of Section 264 as quoted earlier.

All that is required is that she be in fear for her safety. The fact that she honestly doesn't have this fear right now is: a) dependent on her past experience which might not be very well informed about the kind of thinking behind these calls; b) a matter of wishful thinking rather than critical thinking b) possibly temporary, as reality may set in with his next call or perhaps a visit in person.

Maybe this creep will give up for a while and then go bother someone else. Preparation for self-defense and legal action would be more prudent.

Back on topic for the phone technology: I'd look for a solution that both denies the creep his fun (a permanent busy signal is good) and logs his attempts for later use in legal complaints.

**JohnEnglish** · 05-08-2012, 12:23 AM

Originally Posted by Ian Brantford

He doesn't have to directly threaten her. He's already satisfied section 2b of Section 264 as quoted earlier.

All that is required is that she be in fear for her safety. The fact that she honestly doesn't have this fear right now is: a) dependent on her past experience which might not be very well informed about the kind of thinking behind these calls; b) a matter of wishful thinking rather than critical thinking b) possibly temporary, as reality may set in with his next call or perhaps a visit in person.

Maybe this creep will give up for a while and then go bother someone else. Preparation for self-defense and legal action would be more prudent.

Back on topic for the phone technology: I'd look for a solution that both denies the creep his fun (a permanent busy signal is good) and logs his attempts for later use in legal complaints.

Yes but she's not in fear for her safety and he's given her no reason to be; she's really more annoyed than anything. If he ever said something threatening, then she could go to the police with it.

Anyway, all that said, the iBlacklist seems to be the best solution for her right now.