I need help doing LEGAL prank calls, and I need legal info on prank calls.

[Garbage Can Lid]

Can anybody explain the legal issues of prank calling?

-How many redials are too many redials (harassment)?

-Can you say bad words on a prank call?

-If a person threatens me, can I threaten them back?

-Can I LEGALY HAND OUT FREE CDs to my friends at school for NO CHARGE as long as addresses, phone numbers and last names are bleeped out?

-If you have a history of prank calling/harassment, can it make a "joke" look like harassment, even if you didn't call back, or threaten anyone?

-If the person thinks the call is funny, and giggles at stuff can you use that as an excuse for calling back more than once, until they seriously tell you not to hang up?

-Is it legal to say that you're a telemarketer, like in the famous Mr. Burgess calls, but not collect any personal information from the victim (such as credit card numbers, etc.)?

-What's the cruelest, meanest, absolute worst type of call that can be done LEGALLY?

-Is it illegal to impersonate a lawyer, or store owner ("sir, I own a store, and I have you on camera stealing stuff, and I will call the police")?

-Can you call someone up and say something like, "I'm a lawyer, and I'm representing a person that has a lawsuit against you"?

-Is giving the victim a random number to call back (if any number) besides your real number illegal? Can you give them a number that has been disconnected or that is no longer in service?

I have already read all of those "prank call legalities"-type web sites, but none of them can answer any of my questions. Can someone explaine some of my questions, as well as other stuff to me about the legalaties of prank calling? There are a lot of questions here, but ANY answers would be much helpful, thank you.

[TheOne]

Dude, for the love of god stop doing prank calls, 'cause they already got you in more than enough trouble and it seems that it hasn't helped.

[N00N00]

Can anybody explain the legal issues of prank calling?

-How many redials are too many redials (harassment)?


-Can I LEGALY HAND OUT FREE CDs to my friends at school for NO CHARGE as long as addresses, phone numbers and last names are bleeped out?

-Is it legal to say that you're a telemarketer, like in the famous Mr. Burgess calls, but not collect any personal information from the victim (such as credit card numbers, etc.)?

-What's the cruelest, meanest, absolute worst type of call that can be done LEGALLY?

-Can you call someone up and say something like, "I'm a lawyer, and I'm representing a person that has a lawsuit against you"?

-Is giving the victim a random number to call back (if any number) besides your real number illegal? Can you give them a number that has been disconnected or that is no longer in service?


I can't answer most of your questions - but i can help on a few points you make.

I don't know if you can pretend to be a telemarketer but i expect so. Afterall they are just phoning people up and selling them stuff. Make sure you don't imprersonate real companies and you will be fine - just make up the name of a company that sunds realistic and slightly like a company you want to impersonate.

The most legal of all the prank calls is where the other person calls you. Clearly you are really into prank calling, so register with loads of companies and say its ok for them to contact you and the calls should flood in. You will be able to get away with much much more on incomming calls than outgoing ones.

Also perhaps it is better to do international calls (these can be very chep these days. It is much harder for any action to be taken against you as you are in a different country.

[Garbage Can Lid]

I can't answer most of your questions - but i can help on a few points you make.

I don't know if you can pretend to be a telemarketer but i expect so. Afterall they are just phoning people up and selling them stuff. Make sure you don't imprersonate real companies and you will be fine - just make up the name of a company that sunds realistic and slightly like a company you want to impersonate.

The most legal of all the prank calls is where the other person calls you. Clearly you are really into prank calling, so register with loads of companies and say its ok for them to contact you and the calls should flood in. You will be able to get away with much much more on incomming calls than outgoing ones.

Also perhaps it is better to do international calls (these can be very chep these days. It is much harder for any action to be taken against you as you are in a different country.

Great idea, since I have my own phone line I will try to register with some stupid company and get my "free X-BOX" :D .

[N00N00]

The great thing about pranking telemarketers is that not only is it funyy, but also you are doing a good deed.

These guys essentially make money out of harassing people, annoying them and wasting there time. You get to turn the tables and help to make their whole operation less profitable and less viable.