# prank calls **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 20, 2003, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808 "2003-09-20T15:59:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nocturnal\_tick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3d9bf3/32.png) [@nocturnal\_tick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nocturnal_tick)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/1 "2003-09-20T15:59:25Z")
Okay, from the start I know that prank calls are illegal (or at least very, very wrong) but are they only illegal if you are the one calling up? Let’s say, for instance, you’re gettin bugged by telemarketers all the time could you mess with their heads a little (or a lot I hope:D ) or does it still count as a nuisance call? Please give me the answer I want. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/2 "2003-09-20T16:03:42Z")
Um, I would think it’s still illegal. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Mini-Thud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Mini-Thud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mini-Thud)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/3 "2003-09-20T16:05:47Z")
In my mind… telemarketing should be illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/4 "2003-09-20T16:07:50Z")
How are you going to get the phone number for the telemarketer? Most of them block caller ID from identifying them, and \*69 won’t reveal their number either. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/5 "2003-09-20T16:11:07Z")
There are many threads already on how to annoy telemarketers legally. DOn’t let the scum of humanity turn you into a criminal! ---
**Author:** ![Scoo8b](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Scoo8b](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoo8b)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/6 "2003-09-20T16:41:17Z")
If they call you, you can say anything that is legal. (ex. you can’t say “I’m going to kill you”) but you could fake interest or ask them a bunch of stupid questions about their product, or whatever… Like if a telemarketer is trying to sell you you siding for your house, you could ask “Is it better with blueberries and syrup or strawberries and butter?” or “Can I use the siding as a toilet?” I’m not saying that you should do this, but if you’re asking them a question about their product, it couldn’t possibly be illegal… ---
**Author:** ![effac3d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@effac3d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/effac3d)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/7 "2003-09-20T18:34:01Z")
I don’t think the OP was asking about calling back telemarketers,but just messing with them when they are on the line. All i have to say is if it is,i am a hardened felon:D. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/8 "2003-09-20T19:08:25Z")
“I’m sorry, I’m a little tied up now. Give me your home number and I’ll call you back later… Why, you don’t like being called at home? Well, now you know how I feel! (click)” ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/9 "2003-09-20T19:50:11Z")
Oh, well, if they call YOU, then whatever. I thought you meant calling them back and harassing them. Emily Litella: “Never mind!” ---
**Author:** ![AngelicGemma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@AngelicGemma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelicGemma)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2003, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/10 "2003-09-20T20:13:59Z")
When they call say "yes I’m interested. Could you just wait a sec please? Put the phone down, but not on the hook. Leave it until they hang up. Wastes there phonebill. ---
**Author:** ![nocturnal\_tick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3d9bf3/32.png) [@nocturnal\_tick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nocturnal_tick)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/11 "2003-09-21T14:04:42Z")
This is the reason I sent the OP. Is this legal? [Telemarketers must hate thepayback.com](http://www.thepayback.com/revengestories79.html/) > [@](#): > > My first and favorite one is after they ask for whoever (it’s too easy to tell if it’s a solicitor…they can’t even pronounce my last name correctly) and you say hold on let me check and see if he/she is home. You set the phone down and go get a brown paper bag. You blow air into it and go back to the phone. I would start yelling, “WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?! GET THE HELL OUTTA MY HOUSE. HOLY S **T." Then I’d pop the bab right next to the phone so it’d be really loud. "OH S** T, I’VE BEEN SHOT!” I fall on the ground and knock the phone onto the floor as I come down so it’ll land right next to me. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear them say something like, “Oh my God!” or “Sir, sir, are you there?” You don’t hang up until you hear a click on the other end. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2003, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/12 "2003-09-21T15:25:22Z")
I like the episode of Crank Yankers where the guy talking to his insurance agent pretended to run over a deer while on his car phone. The agent was horrified when the “deer” started crying for help and the man shot him with his revolver all while continuing to ask about his policy. Funny stuff:D Personally, I know my work is complete when the telemarketer redials my number to yell at me. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/13 "2003-09-22T18:56:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by msmith537 \* > Personally, I know my work is complete when the telemarketer redials my number to yell at me. 1. 😃 2. 🆒 3. That would make a great signature! 4. I have had a telemarketer call me back to complain I was “wasting their time”. :rolleyes: :smack: :wally ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/14 "2003-09-22T21:55:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by nocturnal\_tick \* > \*\*Okay, from the start I know that prank calls are illegal (or at least very, very wrong) but are they only illegal if you are the one calling up? > > Let’s say, for instance, you’re gettin bugged by telemarketers all the time could you mess with their heads a little (or a lot I hope:D ) or does it still count as a nuisance call? > > Please give me the answer I want. \*\* If you want to choose the answer in advance, you need to post the question at [www.givemetheansweriwant.com](http://www.givemetheansweriwant.com), not straightdope. Sorry. IANAL, but consider this; _Let’s say, for instance, you’re gettin bugged by telemarketers all the time could you track them down and brutally slaughter them? Or does it still count as murder?_ Silly? perhaps. But I think it is _generally_ true to say that you don’t get permission to break the law just because you really want it, or just because someone else did. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2003, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prank-calls/202808/15 "2003-09-22T22:01:50Z")
My current favorite response to the telemarketing calls is: > [@](#): > > I’d be happy to continue this conversation after you send me a check for $500 at my home address. Why? Well, that’s how much I charge you to rent the equipment you’re using to advertise to me. But now that I’ve signed up for the do not call list, I guess I need to find another hobby.