Telephone Harassment Reporting

Programs that provide a hotline, website or other mechanisms that the public can use to report telephone calls that involve obscene or threatening language, heavy breathing, silence or other forms of harassment. If the calls are frequent or particularly threatening, the telephone company can set up a "trap" on the telephone line which allows them to determine the telephone number from which the harassing calls originate. A log of harassing calls must be kept noting the date and time of each call. Call tracing technology may also be used. The individual enters *57 (or 1157 on rotary phones) immediately following a harassing call and the call is automatically traced. Call tracing works only within the immediate service area. In some areas, the telephone company requires that the person file a complaint with law enforcement prior to requesting assistance.