Jun 4, 2008
What can I do about annoying or harassing phone calls?
AT&T/SBC/Ameritech Annoyance Call Bureau
AT&T/SBC/Ameritech will position itself to deliver advance services and capabilities in order to determine an unwanted caller. If you are the recipient of numerous harassing, obscene, or threatening telephone calls you need to follow these guidelines in order to help accurately trace unwanted callers:
1. You have received at least two or more unwanted phone calls.
2. If there is a known offender/caller, make sure that is indicated on a/the police report.
3. If the calls that you receive are continuing and you expect more to be received, then you will want to report the calls to your local Police Department non-emergency phone number, if available, and make a report.
4. If you would like your telephone line traced, contact the AT&T/SBC/Ameritech Annoyance Call Bureau at 1-800-769-4099 (Monday-Friday 8 A.M.-5 P.M. Central Standard Time) with the police report case number if you have one, or better yet, call AT&T/SBC/Ameritech at 1-800-244-4444 and ask to have this number blocked and/or removed from calling your account.
AT&T/SBC/Ameritech will inform you of the length of time the trace will be in effect and any charges.
The complaint/case number authorizes AT&T/SBC/Ameritech to conduct a tracing investigation and release any information to your local Police Department. Disposition of the investigation will be reviewed with the complainant if the trace is successful.
In order for the telephone company to “trace” illegal telephone calls that you may be receiving, you MUST contact the Annoyance Call Bureau at their 1-800 telephone number listed above. It is important for you to understand that the telephone company cannot trace any phone calls that you receive without the Annoyance Call Bureau first setting up a telephone trap. Once they have set the trap up, all future calls that you receive will be captured by the Annoyance Call Bureau special equipment that will provide the telephone number of the calling party. The Annoyance Call Bureau will give you instructions on how to report future calls to them.
When you originally contact AT&TSBC/Ameritech Annoyance Call Bureau, they will be asking you a series of questions, including the case number of your local Police Department's report that you filed, along with the contact person’s name and phone number at the department.
You Can Find Out Who's Calling!
Punch the star symbol (*) then 57. This starts a trace on the last call you received. Write down the number you are given.
Or punch the star symbol (*) then 69. This will ring the last number that called you.
(Fees will appear on your phone bill)