Tracing a private call

Question

Can a cell phone company trace a private call, if it's in regards to a court issue? I'm in the middle of a custody issue with my son's father and today my mom received a 'private' call from someone demanding to know where my son is.

I've been told by the cell phone company that they can't, but if I call back and tell them that it's in regard to a legal issue, would it even be possible for them to trace the call?

I'm asking this here because I trust most of the answers I get in the Pregnancy & Parenting Section. Please, if you know anything about this, let me know.

I wish I was a troll and making this up. Geez, can't I have one drama-free day?

Answer 1

I was just going to say what Nina said (minus the working there thing).

I think it can be done, but only if subpoenaed by a lawyer or requested by law enforcement for the purpose of an investigation. Unless she threatened violence against your mom, most likely law enforcement wouldn't get involved.

Answer 2

I think you might have to subpoena the records....which is a huge pain in the a**.  However, I don't blame you for wanting to know!  If it's your ex/ex's family, they are just harassing you (which is weird, since he doesn't seem to give a **** about your son).  Better to put a stop to this behavior now.  

Good luck!

Answer 3

No there is no way to trace the call even if it was on your home phone with out a court order and that is hard to come by.  

Answer 4

I think the best thing to do is set your phones up so that they do not accept calls from blocked numbers.  That way, if someone calls, they'll have to dial *82 to display their number on your caller ID.

As far as tracing a cell goes, it is not possible if the person has a blocked or private number.  

Also, why haven't you changed your phone numbers if you are receiving harassing phone calls?!  That would be first on my agenda!  They can't call you if they don't know your number, right?

Answer 5

set your phone up to not accept rejected numbers.

simple or just don't answer them

Answer 6

It was a call to your mother's cell phone? She should be able to get the billing history by calling her cell phone company. If it was a call to a landline, your lawyer will have to get a court order for the trace to be made.

Answer 7

if you call customer service to call phone company they dont have any way of tracking a private call so they will say the same thing even if you tell them its legal issue but the other way is to call your cell phone company tell them its legal issue and ask them how can you go through getting this info ...i used to work with a major cell phone company in USA and they had SUBPENA Compliance Centre and they can get that private number info and give it to your lawyer..in no way tht subpena will talk to you and also cell phone company wont even give # to you ....you have to involve a lawyer to get that info for you .......hope that helped...

Answer 8

It's really not possible at all.  Let the worry and wonder.  Tell your mom to tell the person next time they call that he knows very well where his son is, he is one who is hiding so get his spineless @ss back in court and pay child support.

Answer 9

i would talk to a lawyer to see if they can get the records they know the law and can maybe get a warrent for the records of calls....including private numbers i believe

Answer 10

I work for a major telecommunications company but not in that department.  If I'm not mistaken, the call "can" be traced but law enforcement officials will have to request it in order for it to be done.  I could be wrong but for some reason I'm thinking this is how it works.

Answer 11

I take it you already tried to *69 them?

As for them tracing a private call, if the phone number is in their records, and it is part of a court case, the courts can subpeina (sp?) them and they will have to disclose it.

But in order for them to actually trace a call, they would have had to do so at the time the call was placed. If the call did not show up in there internal database, there is nothing they can do

Answer 12

I am sorry but you can't.

He blocked the number. I do suggest if she keeps getting them get call restriction if your phone co has it...that way they can not block the number-it has to go through.

I have verizon..I have it.

Good luck.

Answer 13

they should be able too. I know that 9-1-1 always knows who calls, blocked number or not.

In the future, you can get a feature where the person can't call from a blocked number, without revealing their number.