Received Disturbing Text on Shared Phone; How to Handle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I suspect it’s a kid and I would still call the police . The kid need a a good scare about what can happen when you send texts like that.

If it’s a kid, what crime was committed?

[Anonymous]

Because you mentioned tiktok, I thought I'd mention that they do "farm" info from texts and web searches. It bothers me enough that we don't use it or allow it for our kids.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I just had a conversation with the DC police about it. They were able to give me the name of the person who has the phone number; it's someone we've never heard of. They said that the language in the text message does not meet their level of criteria for investigation for physical harassment, but the office did agree with me that the language is predatory in nature.

I googled the person and there is nothing on them in DC or anywhere else.

I guess final step is to block the number but I wish there was more that I could do to give this person a good scare. I'm tempted to publish the name and phone number here but probably shouldn't do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I just had a conversation with the DC police about it. They were able to give me the name of the person who has the phone number; it's someone we've never heard of. They said that the language in the text message does not meet their level of criteria for investigation for physical harassment, but the office did agree with me that the language is predatory in nature.

I googled the person and there is nothing on them in DC or anywhere else.

I guess final step is to block the number but I wish there was more that I could do to give this person a good scare. I'm tempted to publish the name and phone number here but probably shouldn't do that.

Was the number a local one to you? I wonder if it was a kid and the number is registered to a parent that you just don’t know? Still scary. You could try calling it.

[Anonymous]

You also must find out how this creep got your number. Your son may be giving out his info. Via Xbox or other avenues. This can’t be random the person found your number. Talk to your son.

[Anonymous]

Just block the number and move on with life. There's nothing the cops will do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I just had a conversation with the DC police about it. They were able to give me the name of the person who has the phone number; it's someone we've never heard of. They said that the language in the text message does not meet their level of criteria for investigation for physical harassment, but the office did agree with me that the language is predatory in nature.

I googled the person and there is nothing on them in DC or anywhere else.

I guess final step is to block the number but I wish there was more that I could do to give this person a good scare. I'm tempted to publish the name and phone number here but probably shouldn't do that.

You did the right thing by calling the police. Now block the number. Read The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker to understand why you don't want to instigate with this person. Just try to stay off of his radar.

[Anonymous]

What about a third person calling in your behalf to say that the caller has been reported to the police, to cease and desist from ever contacting your family ever again, and warning that a failure to do so will result in legal action and contacting their employer?

[Anonymous]

Did you call and talk to the person yourself? I certainly would have. Possible your son knows more than he is willing to let on? Perhaps its a coach or something related to an afterschool activity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I suspect it’s a kid and I would still call the police . The kid need a a good scare about what can happen when you send texts like that.

If it’s a kid, what crime was committed?

Maybe none. Maybe a sex offense. We haven’t seen the text. Irregardless, investing it the retest and involving his parents might make him think before doing it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I just had a conversation with the DC police about it. They were able to give me the name of the person who has the phone number; it's someone we've never heard of. They said that the language in the text message does not meet their level of criteria for investigation for physical harassment, but the office did agree with me that the language is predatory in nature.

I googled the person and there is nothing on them in DC or anywhere else.

I guess final step is to block the number but I wish there was more that I could do to give this person a good scare. I'm tempted to publish the name and phone number here but probably shouldn't do that.

Text them back that the number has been reported to the FBI. And there maybe be a way to actually do that. Not to open a case on their own, but in case this number pings somewhere else in their system or there is an open investigation.

Then block, and show this to your kid, and have a good talk with him about predators and cat fishing and how this could have played out. And monitor his computer use. You don’t know what. Else is going on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about a third person calling in your behalf to say that the caller has been reported to the police, to cease and desist from ever contacting your family ever again, and warning that a failure to do so will result in legal action and contacting their employer?

This works to. I’m a lawyer and would do it pro Bono because this crap passes me off.

[Anonymous]

did you look up the number on Spokeo or other type of site?

[Anonymous]

Do NOT instigate with this person. Block the number. If the person comes back from a different number then once again report to the police, and block the new number. Under no circumstances should you retaliate or threaten or provoke this person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG clearly it is some kid trolling your kid.
Just block the number and be done. It isn't a matter for the fracking police. Jesus.

Of course it is.

OP do not listen to this person.

Something is wrong here and OP needs to figure out who this person is, how they got her son's information without her permission. This is a 7th grader. The person clearly said mom told them to call which was a lie.

All this said OP please have a conversation with your son. Something is not adding up here.