Weird voicemail, a little freaked out

[sweetpeppers]

Ok, I got a very, very strange voicemail tonight from a restricted number. I answered the phone and they hung up, and then called back and I didn't answer and got this voicemail:

"You really, really need to invest in some parenting classes. So you learn how to be a mother, and stop whipping your kids out every other second would be good to, and learn how to dress the kid and so on. You're a real disgrace."

Whaaaat? It was the voice of an older woman...I think. I thought it was a prank call, but I don't know anyone that would do something like that. I have a very small circle of acquaintances, and I don't give out my cell phone number. My brother suggested that it might be this woman that called the police on me (anonymously) for my son being barefoot in the sandbox (there's a thread on here somewhere about that. She lied to the police and told them that there was a child there unattended. And I think it might have been the same woman that I saw at Shop Rite one night during the summer who yelled at me and said that Caleb was going to get pneumonia because he was only wearing his bum genius diaper.

If it was this woman, I think she may have seen our picture in the local paper. We went to a farm to see the reindeer and decorate cookies. The picture was of us sitting on the floor inside the store. My son was eating a cookie. He was wearing a coat and sweatpants, but he was barefoot as he didn't want to wear his "eskimo" boots (robeez). Anyway, when they printed the picture (which was really adorable), they put my full name with it. So all I can think of is that she saw the picture and somehow got my cell number by having my name and town (???). The whole thing is wacky.

[aurora_skys]

You know, police reports only cost a small amount of time, nothing more. I would go to the police station, play the recording and mention that a certain woman is harassing you. That way if anything happens, at least the voicemail has been officially documented. Call me paranoid if you will but I think it's best to go ahead and inform the police of your concerns. If she took the time to find your phone number after seeing your name and photo in the paper thats kinda freaky!!!

[AFWife]

I agree. Get it ON RECORD. Even if they do nothing about it, at least you can say "Well, it's on record"

I lived in Colorado growing up and I rarely wore shoes inside. (Heck, I rarely wear shoes now unless I HAVE to) People used to say the same thing about me to my mom...

But yeah, get it reported...Sometimes the police can get the phone company to open restricted numbers (I think) if there's a threat involved. I'd let the police know each time I get a call like that (and each time she says anything of that sort)

[SAHDS]

I'd try for a restraining order/no contact. This lady is beyond creepy and completely over-stepping her bounds. This is harassment and I would be scared. Good luck.

[Theoretica]

:

You can also call the phone company and tell them you are being harrassed, there's a way they will get involved if she keeps calling.

Stay safe, she sounds like a freak...

[sweetpeppers]

Originally Posted by SAHDS

I'd try for a restraining order/no contact. This lady is beyond creepy and completely over-stepping her bounds. This is harassment and I would be scared. Good luck.

Well, I don't know her name or anything. I assume she lives somewhere near the park and the Shop Rite, but it's not like a small town or anything where everybody knows everybody.

[grniys]

I agree. Go to the police and file a report. Even if you don't think it's bad enough yet, you never know what she will do/how far she will go. If she does continue to harass you, you'll have proof it's been going on for this long. Whereas if you don't file a report and it continues, when you do try to put a stop to it it'll take longer, you know?

[SAHDS]

Originally Posted by sweetpeppers

Well, I don't know her name or anything. I assume she lives somewhere near the park and the Shop Rite, but it's not like a small town or anything where everybody knows everybody.

They'll be able to find out, I'm sure.

I wish DH were home (he's on shift) so I could get details.

[MusicianDad]

I'm with everyone else. Report it.

[LisainCalifornia]

That is really disturbing. I am with everyone else--make a report. I had to make a police report once (someone made a clone of my ATM and went on a Florida vacation in the Keys--drained our bank account of 4,000 in 3 days time!) and they were so nice about everything. They make the process very quick and easy. They may have some tips for you as well.

Take care and make sure you lock your doors and windows and be extra aware of your surroundings when you go out.

Hugs,
Lisa

[baltic_ballet]

I agree with everyone else and would report it amd I would also jot down the date, time and what happened for each of these incidents on a a peice of paper or in a notebook so you can refer back to it if this behaviour continues and further action needs to be taken.

Stay safe

[AGierald]

Does this lady have nothin better to do than to harass you?? I hope you do file that report, thats not cool, and sounds very stalker-ish to me!

[Una]

Originally Posted by sweetpeppers

"You really, really need to invest in some parenting classes. So you learn how to be a mother, and stop whipping your kids out every other second would be good to, and learn how to dress the kid and so on. You're a real disgrace."

I don't understand what this woman means by whipping your kids out every other second.

I find it troublesome that someone would do this to you and I agree with the pp's that you need to report this to the authorities. I also worry that if this woman is willing to harass you via voicemail, that she is also willing to harass you by other means.

[Theoretica]

Oh and one more thing! I think 'star' 67 or something like that (mamas help me out here!) will block private numbers from calling you. DEFINITELY look into that, I know it's free and we do it.

[Theia]

I didn't read all of the replies, so I apologize if someone else already mentioned this......

Report it to the police as harassment. Then call your cell phone company and request a supervisor until you get someone who knows what the deal is. They most likely have the originating number in their records, even though the CID wasn't passed on to your phone. I used to work in the industry on the technical side of things. You can have a order placed on your phone that will record all inbound/outbound numbers if needed. I think i would try to just focus on the one call, as long as you can give them the time of call, they should be able to find the origin in their records. I'm not sure if you can get them to provide you with any info without a police report though.

Good luck. That is scary and I'd take it seriously since this isn't your first potential occurrence with this person (provided it's the same person as before).

eta: most likely you are looking for something called SS7 records or your providers equivalent. That is where the number is hidden.

[lolar2]

Could also be a wrong number.

[majikfaerie]

I'll go out on a limb here and agree with all the other PPs. get it documented.

[MayBaby2007]

Originally Posted by bellevuemama

Oh and one more thing! I think 'star' 67 or something like that (mamas help me out here!) will block private numbers from calling you. DEFINITELY look into that, I know it's free and we do it.

*67 is how you block a call. If I called you but didn't want my number displayed, I would dial *67...555-1234

*69 is to call back the last person who called you, only useful if you don't have caller ID and if the caller didn't block number

You need "Privacy Manager" to block unidentified callers. My gma has this on her land line. The caller has to identify themselves or they are disconnected. (At least--this is how it works around here).

OP, I would also contact police and phone company. But, chances are 1.) Cops will and make you feel stupid for reporting (because you don't know the person and it's the first odd phone message and/or 2.) Won't do anything about it. I don't mean to sound cold, but this has been my experience (stalking/harrassing is hard to prove and there is a lot of grey area with this sort of stuff). If cops won't do anything, document (save) the voicemail incase there are more incidents.

And def, like a pp said, watch your surroundings very well when you're out and about. Be safe!

[majikfaerie]

blocking the incoming call may stop you dealing with the annoyance, but it might also make said "concerned citizen" more persistant, enough to report you to the cops or cps. (if its the same woman who called the cops on you before, that is.
but definitely keep a record of every incedent

[flapjack]

Document. Cops might not do anything, but civil action is also an option.