Can callers from private numbers be traced?

Question

I have been getting weird phone calls - someone calls, I answer, they are silent, then hang up. This has been happening about once a week. I have a guess as to who it might be, but he has a private #. If I get a trace put on my phone (I guess the phone comp. or police have to do this), will the info from private numbers show up. Will they be able to get the location? What if it is from a pay phone? Will they be able to get the location of the pay phone?

Answer 1

Tracing withheld numbers is a dodgy one, but there is an option with BT whereby you can block any call from a withheld number from your phone.

The technology is there for tracing any call, whether from a payphone, a land-line, a mobile or even Satellite Phone.

Speak to the Old Bill, if they give you a crime number BT may block withheld numbers on your phone for free, they normally charge.

Be honest when talking to the Old Bill though, tell them who you think it is, and why, and also why he/she may be harassing you.

Best of Luck

Answer 2

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

you can not get info for a blocked number!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1- blocck private callers... dial *77 from your phone to activate anon call rejection

2- if the calls are threatening or harassing dial *57 to put a trace on the call... this costs money, check with your local carrier or 1-866-trace-4-u the info will be used for law enforcement, but not released to you

Answer 3

Yes, it can be traced through the phone company. The police would have to be involved.

Answer 4

If you're in the UK, contact the police who will contact your network to get a trace put on your line.

Under s1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1998

It is an offence to send an indecent, offensive or threatening letter or other form of electronic communication to another person.

Under s43 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 and Section 92 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994

A person who makes indecent, offensive or threatening calls to another via the telephone system network is guilty of an offence.

The conviction penalty varies from imprisonment to a maximum fine of up to £5,000.

In some cases (e.g. where the malicious calls form one element of a wider charge such as breach of an injunction, where there have been threats to kill etc) the defendant could be held in contempt of court or charged with grievous bodily harm or actual bodily harm under the Offences Against the Person Act.

Harassment Act of 1997

Other legislation that you need to be aware of is the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, which is aimed at protecting people from harassment and similar conduct.