# family threatened by calls on cell phones **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 26, 2007, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419 "2007-06-26T00:56:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Operation\_Ripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/34f0e0/32.png) [@Operation\_Ripper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Operation_Ripper)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/21 "2007-06-28T01:46:51Z")
[QUOTE=Lute Skywatcher] “Not connected to _any_ power source” includes batteries. Did you miss where they say they removed the batteries from their phones but it didn’t do any good? [/QUOTE] Oh. My. God. It’s gotta be ghosts doing it!!! Goddamn guy, are you serious??? Or are you suggesting that some MAGIC did this??? @#@#@%!#%!@^%!@^!^&!&!&!&@^!!! You believe everything that spills out of teenage girls’ mouths? ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/22 "2007-06-28T01:47:05Z")
[QUOTE=PoorYorick] Yep, this pretty much screams “Inside Job” to me. As **Laughing Lagomorph** said, I’d hold anything the girls said with deep suspicion. I’d take their phones away, then make some sort of change without telling them, and see what happens. [/QUOTE] There was a similar case around here a few years ago. The “stalkers” could even make the lights in the house flicker. Cops set up surveillance and it turned out to be the son (who was in early adolescence, I don’t remember, 11-13 maybe). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/23 "2007-06-28T12:04:49Z")
[QUOTE=Operation Ripper] Oh. My. God. It’s gotta be ghosts doing it!!! Goddamn guy, are you serious??? Or are you suggesting that some MAGIC did this??? @#@#@%!#%!@^%!@^!^&!&!&!&@^!!! [/QUOTE] :rolleyes: I suggest you stop foaming at the mouth and pay more attention to the thread. Specifically [post #18](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=8723815&postcount=18). ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/24 "2007-06-28T12:16:05Z")
[QUOTE=Joey P] Is there any kind of a feature (on any phone) that if you set an alarm (or some kind of reminder) and the phone is off during that time, that it will power up? If that’s possible, here’s the scenario I could see Set an alarm on mom’s phone for 4:00pm. Turn mom’s phone off Send a text message from Taylors phone. Set Taylors phone for 4:00pm Meet with police at 3:50. Talk for 10 minutes At 4:00 the two phones power up Once powered up, Mom’s phone will receive the text message that’s been sitting on the network the whole time. It will show that it was from Taylors phone, and Taylors phone message history will reflect this. If you don’t notice the timestamps, it will appear to do what they said it will do. [/QUOTE] One problem with this is that, as I understand it, at least some of these messages contain stuff that is specific to things going on at that exact moment. In those cases, the pre-set text message have to accurately predict the future. If what **El\_Kabong** brought up is possible, one of the other girls could be doing that. Or maybe all the phones look alike and they’re pulling the old switcheroo. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/25 "2007-06-28T12:55:32Z")
I saw the piece. As I recall, I think they DID get rid of their phones and it started again on the new ones. Also, wouldn’t a message to the land line that was sent from a disposable phone be impossible to trace? I dunno…their fear looked realistic to me, but what do I know? At any rate, I would find it upsetting. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/26 "2007-06-28T13:03:22Z")
NPR had an interview w/ the head of a secuity firm. He said this is a new phenomenon and is legitimate. He also said we’re going to see more of this activity in the near future. It was a brief interview and they didn’t go into methods, but he said it was definitely possible and is being done in other instances, aside from the ones in Washington. I’m assuming NPR was confident of his bonafides before they did the interview, but of course you never know for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/27 "2007-06-28T13:03:45Z")
This sounds like it’s been a long term problem. The article does not mention that they changed their land line number to a new and unlisted one, or that they changed their cell numbers (only that they switched out their phones). Hell, I would have switched cell phone companies, too. These seem like obvious first steps. If they haven’t taken these steps, it sounds like a hoax to me. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/28 "2007-06-28T13:04:51Z")
[QUOTE=Operation Ripper] That business about the cellphones “turning themselves on,” if it even happened, doesn’t strike me as an increadible feat either, given my limited knowledge of technology. Aren’t cellphones sorta just little computers and computers can turn themselves on, no? [/QUOTE] My sister text messaged me a “picture file” the other day. Turned out to be a gag; a virus type file that turned my phone off! Freaked me out. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/29 "2007-06-28T13:05:21Z")
[QUOTE=Lute Skywatcher] One problem with this is that, as I understand it, at least some of these messages contain stuff that is specific to things going on at that exact moment. In those cases, the pre-set text message have to accurately predict the future. [/QUOTE] The story is just vague enough to leave some room for the girls to be doing it. The messages about the mom slicing lemons and the color shirt one of the girls was wearing, certainly. I wish the article was more specific about the message that quoted the conversation with the police—when was it left and who was around. Also the screaming and banging on walls needs to be expalined more—inside walls or outside? Why can’t the family catch who is doing it, with or without the police? I really want to know the end of this story. Not because I think it’s ghosts :rolleyes: but because I’m curious as to how it’s being done and who is in on it. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/30 "2007-06-28T13:09:04Z")
I hope for their sake it’s not them doing it. There’ll be hell to pay. Not to mention all the costs associated with the investigation. ---
**Author:** ![Queuing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/90ced4/32.png) [@Queuing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queuing)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/31 "2007-06-28T13:49:59Z")
I would like to know why they didn’t quote the principal or police office, but rather one of the girls or family members from the meeting where the phone turned itself on. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/32 "2007-06-28T13:51:28Z")
Maybe the reporter is in on it? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/33 "2007-06-28T14:21:40Z")
Sounds like a ghost to me. Or maybe magic. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/34 "2007-06-28T16:30:04Z")
I think the journalist has made up his mind. Hidden right there in the first line, too. > [@](#): > > Maybe it’s just a long-running prank… ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2007, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/35 "2007-06-29T00:36:04Z")
[QUOTE=A.R. Cane] NPR had an interview w/ the head of a secuity firm. He said this is a new phenomenon and is legitimate. He also said we’re going to see more of this activity in the near future. It was a brief interview and they didn’t go into methods, but he said it was definitely possible and is being done in other instances, aside from the ones in Washington. I’m assuming NPR was confident of his bonafides before they did the interview, but of course you never know for sure. [/QUOTE] Was he commenting on this type of phenomena in general, or had he specifically looked into the details of this case in particular? ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2007, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/36 "2007-06-29T03:03:32Z")
[QUOTE=Laughing Lagomorph] Was he commenting on this type of phenomena in general, or had he specifically looked into the details of this case in particular? [/QUOTE] I don’t recall for sure, but I think he was just confirming that all the claims made by the mother were, in fact, possible and had been done in other instances. He predicted more of this in the near future as others learn about the technology and/ or methods. His interview followed an interview w/ the mother (sorry, I don’t remember her name), she didn’t sound like a looney. She explained many of the incidents and the steps they had taken to foil them. The reporter asked pointed questions about a hoax and involvment of a family member, but the mother insisted that they had ruled out those possibilities. If it’s a hoax, the perpetrator is very persistant, not what you might expect from teenagers. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2007, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/37 "2007-06-29T14:16:13Z")
[QUOTE=Left Hand of Dorkness] Sounds like a ghost to me. Or maybe magic. Daniel [/QUOTE] Or a magical ghost perhaps. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2007, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/38 "2007-06-29T14:24:53Z")
[QUOTE=Left Hand of Dorkness] Sounds like a ghost to me. Or maybe magic. Daniel [/QUOTE] You and your limited, earth-bound thinking! It’s obviously a magic ghost. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2007, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/39 "2007-06-29T14:26:02Z")
[QUOTE=vetbridge] Or a magical ghost perhaps. [/QUOTE] You clearly used magic to steal this idea from me and post it ten minutes ahead of my own post. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2007, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419/40 "2007-06-29T14:51:39Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] You clearly used magic to steal this idea from me and post it ten minutes ahead of my own post. [/QUOTE] Actually, neither of us posted to this thread. It is **LHoD** using his majick to make posts appear to have been made by us! Cut it out, Daniel! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-threatened-by-calls-on-cell-phones/409419.md?page=3)