Not Droid X related - but I want to ask anyway

[DieAnne]

I know this is probably not the right place, since my question is not about the phone... but I hoped maybe someone here would know.  Does anyone know how to identify a restricted number?  Some lady keeps calling and asking for my deceased sister (who only passed a few months ago).  I keep telling her she has passed away, and she goes "is _____ (my name) there".  I say "this is she" and ask her what she wants, then she hangs up on me.  It's very upsetting and I want to know who this is.  Any ideas?  Please and thank you.

[bearone21]

not really unless you know someone at the phone company.

put it in perspective, if you were paying for a restricted number would you want it given out?

[Kooshie]

If this is a consistent problem, you should call Verizon and explain the situation to them.  If this was a landlines you would be able to contact the Phone co.  In either case you should be able to have the call traced, you may have to file a complaint with the police department.  

[bearone21]

"upsetting" isn't reason for a police call out.

[jmccoy70]

Restricted numbers are tough especially if all they are doing is hanging up.

What I do is look at Caller ID and let all Private or Out of area calls go to Voice Mail.  If they leave a number I call them back, but then I have their number. On the other hand , if they don't leave a number, you haven't wasted a whole lot of time on them.

[DieAnne]

Thank you guys for responding.  This is not a one-time thing, this was the 3rd time.  I recognize the voice as the same person.  I don't even understand it because my sister was married and had a home and family - her own phone and a different last name.  The only way a stranger could associate us, I'm thinking, was from the hospital or records (I was her bone marrow donor).  Why would someone do that? ....sigh...

Anyway, can I block "Restricted" numbers automatically?  I wouldn't have answered it had I saw it, but I switched from one call to another on my blue tooth and didn't even look to see first (I will from now on of course).. but that stinks.  If someone can't bother revealing who they while calling me on my cell - then I don't want to bother even knowing about it, let alone answering it. 

[vereyezuhn]

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DieAnne wrote:

Thank you guys for responding.  This is not a one-time thing, this was the 3rd time.  I recognize the voice as the same person.  I don't even understand it because my sister was married and had a home and family - her own phone and a different last name.  The only way a stranger could associate us, I'm thinking, was from the hospital or records (I was her bone marrow donor).  Why would someone do that? ....sigh...

Anyway, can I block "Restricted" numbers automatically?  I wouldn't have answered it had I saw it, but I switched from one call to another on my blue tooth and didn't even look to see first (I will from now on of course).. but that stinks.  If someone can't bother revealing who they while calling me on my cell - then I don't want to bother even knowing about it, let alone answering it. 

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I believe you have to pay to block Restricted numbers. There are certain apps, I believe, that allow you to unblock restricted numbers when they call and view their number.

By the way, whoever said you have to pay to have your number blocked, is not true. You can dial *67 before a phone number and block yours.

[DieAnne]

Ah, shame on me for not remembering "there's an app for that".  I found some apps that will block the restricted number(s).  And, I even saw one that you can pay a monthly subscription to reveal the numbers - but I don't think I trust that.

Thank you (vereyezuhn), and everyone else.  I really appreciate the input/advice.

[Wildman]

Check out Sall Blocker Gold at https://market.android.com/details?id=blacknWhite.CallBlocker.Gold&feature=search_result . it allows you to hangup, transfer and block calls even if the caller is blocked... Ive used it and it has worked well..

[DieAnne]

Thanks Wildman.  It says that the hang up feature is not working on Gingerbread versions.  That would be the feature that would allow me to completely ignore it and never know she called again right?   (Like, if I chose voicemail or silence - I'll still know the call came in?).

[Wildman · Accepted solution]

Mostly all Apps on device has to allow the phone to ring at least one time before it can block it because of has to read the number before responding..

Try Privacy Star at http://market.android.com/details?id=com.privacystar.android it is a service that has your calls routed through a answering service before to your device that can block it without alerting device.

I'm supprised about Call Blocker Gold because I have used it on GB and didn't notice any issues but if developer reported that I must have missed something.

Have you checked the call blocking service's that Verizon offers, I think the pay version allows blocked calls to be blocked also... Log into account and check services and read the description and see if that helps you.

[Ofcrob2237]

If or when your caller is identified it can be considered as telephonic harassmant. Under local and federal laws prohibit harassment. By making the phone ring making lewd, indecent, or requests over the phone. Or not identifying them selves. Also consider the time of the calls. Sometimes people file injunctions against the party involved. Hope this helps.

[DieAnne]

I am going to take steps to try to legally identify the person and whatever.  She is definitely just messing with me for some sick reason.  It's not funny either, all she has to do is say my sisters name and I start to cry.  In the meantime, I did find an app to block the calls and so far I haven't received any more.  I'm going to say thank you again to everyone who responded, you guys are great.

[B33]

DieAnne Hopefully what you did stopped the calls . Its bad enough to loose your Sis. An then to have some one pull Stuff like that on ya. i lost my big brother an that was back in 81 an to this day i wished he was here to give a hug too call me punk like he did.  an give me that big brother pep talk when i need it.     Again DieAnne sorry for Loss an i hope this is resolved for you. Ra

[DieAnne]

Thank you DincX, that was very nice of you to say.  I'm very sorry for your loss too    We'll see em on the other side, right?

[B33]

I hope so we've got alott to talk about i got to tell him about these  (cell phones, High Deph Tv's ,an other goodies! ) that he's

missed out on.     But  the shocker for all of us was when he passed was that.  my uncle passed away 2

weeks before my brother did.  And get this Two weeks from the day that my uncle passed. we were all at a picknick in the park an

 my brother an uncle had went on a short walk together. i don't know if you call that  eerie  or not but it makes you wonder.

[jmccoy70]

Another effective option is to get a Police Whistle and blow it vigorously into the telephone mouthepiece after the first couple of identifying words out of the individuals mouth.  One of my daughters used this to good effect when dealing with an ex-boyfriend who did not want to be an ex.

[Kooshie]

If it's simply a one time thing & it's upsetting I would agree, if it's ongoing then that would be a form of harassment & the police, if needed, should be involved. Remember, no one knows how someone else reacts to things.