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How should I handle repeated prank calls from a young child?

98 replies

BrighterDaysAhead2026 · 05/09/2026 22:49

This is a really strange situation. But basically a kid started calling me last night on a private number as a prank 'Is Ben Dover there?' I just laughed, played along a little and hung up. I thought it was one of my DD's teenage friends. Kid phoned a few times then started calling again today numerous times. I didn't always answer and put my phone on dnd for a bit but as a private number it could have been someone needing to get hold of me. Anyway, it then turned into this kid who judging by their voice (They were putting on silly voices to start with so I couldn't tell) is only about 10/11, telling me I was kind and just phoning wanting to chat with me. Obviously I realise this is wildy inapropriate and have nicely told them to stop calling, that I'm too busy to talk or I've suggested they find something else to do to entertain them. They still keep calling. And I'm having thoughts of why do they want to speak to a stranger...are they ok, is something going on in their home life? Which obviously nothing I can do as I don't know their details and obviously wouldn't ask. They phoned me again about half an hour ago and I asked where their parents were and they said in bed.

What is the best way to deal with this? I'm hoping after the weekend they'll be busy at school and stop. Should I ask to talk to his parents? Should I be more firm in telling him not to call? Should I do something else??

OP posts:
Lifestooshort71 · Yesterday 13:55

When he calls again, don't get in to any conversation but immediately say 'Please don't call me any more as I'm always too busy to chat. Goodbye'. Don't wait for an answer, just cut him off. If he calls again, say nothing, hang up straight away- rinse and repeat. He'll soon get bored.

BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:55

MissMoneyFairy · Yesterday 13:46

Its not cute and they are not that young if they can dial,a, number repeatedly. I'd put all calls to ansaphone then you can delete them, don't answer, you can pick up the phone if you really wanted to but say nothing,don't engage, don't laugh.

Not sure what you mean. They only have to press 1 button - something any 10 yo could manage. And I've not shared anything they have said to me so not sure you can judge if it is cute or not. But either way 'cuteness' is subjective...I am admitedly a very maternal/nostalgic over little ones person so to me it sounds cute.

OP posts:
BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows · Yesterday 13:52

IronEverything · Yesterday 08:21

Stop answering the bloody phone. You're encouraging it.

Don't be ridiculous! Why should you stop using an essential tool just because of one person who is abusing it? That's like saying just stop using your front door and stay in your house 24/7, because a nosy neighbour stares in whenever you go out!

BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:51

Merrybandofpirates · Yesterday 13:40

You need to start hanging up immediately. If this kid has a mobile and his parents are any sort of decent parents then they will be checking his phone periodically. They’ll see these outgoing calls which are lasting a few minutes each and if they call you, they’re going to want to know what you’re talking to their child about and I doubt they will believe that you stayed on the phone chatting to a prank caller. You’re leaving yourself open to accusations from these parents (and let’s be honest, a lot of parents won’t believe anything negative about their little darlings so they may not believe he is prank calling you).

Yes, good point, although I just hope his parents do check his phone and put a stop to it. I've not been on the phone to him for more than 30 seconds and most of the calls are unanswered or declined. And obviously he's just phoning me not me him so even if his parents were rightly concerned I'm not too worried about it.

OP posts:
Ohcrap082024 · Yesterday 13:51

Get a whistle. Next time they call, answer and blow whistle hard. As close you your mic as possible. Keep doing it until they hang up and stop.

MissMoneyFairy · Yesterday 13:50

Can you trace the number yourself, is it possible to access last number who called you

WallaceinAnderland · Yesterday 13:49

BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:45

Really? I'd be suprised if it wasn't due to the things they've said. But are you thinking some kind of scam?

Look up Tim Bradbury 'Tiny Tim' to see how an adult can sound like a child.

MissMoneyFairy · Yesterday 13:46

BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:37

I know but they're just a little kid and their voice and the things they say are quite cute.

Its not cute and they are not that young if they can dial,a, number repeatedly. I'd put all calls to ansaphone then you can delete them, don't answer, you can pick up the phone if you really wanted to but say nothing,don't engage, don't laugh.

BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:45

SunnieShine · Yesterday 10:30

I doubt its a child.

Really? I'd be suprised if it wasn't due to the things they've said. But are you thinking some kind of scam?

OP posts:
BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:43

PollyBell · Yesterday 09:50

Very sweet using Ben Dover? Really?

That was one name they used once in the 'prank phase'. The chat has been the usual prattling on of a young child which I find quite sweet. I mean obviously it's a weird and inapropriate situation but if a friend's young child was talking to me like that I'd think they were cute.

OP posts:
Merrybandofpirates · Yesterday 13:40

You need to start hanging up immediately. If this kid has a mobile and his parents are any sort of decent parents then they will be checking his phone periodically. They’ll see these outgoing calls which are lasting a few minutes each and if they call you, they’re going to want to know what you’re talking to their child about and I doubt they will believe that you stayed on the phone chatting to a prank caller. You’re leaving yourself open to accusations from these parents (and let’s be honest, a lot of parents won’t believe anything negative about their little darlings so they may not believe he is prank calling you).

BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:39

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · Yesterday 09:26

Just mentioning that it might not be a child as young as you think. I had some 'prank' calls a long time back from someone who sounded like a child, but eventual questioning revealed that they were a university student (I heard background noises of conversation and asked where they were/what was going on). They genuinely sounded about 10 years old. But weren't.

I'm pretty certain this child is that young from the things they have said to me.

OP posts:
BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:38

Copperoliverbear · Yesterday 09:25

can you block them.

No, private number

OP posts:
BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:37

sanityisamyth · Yesterday 09:23

Very sweet? They’re nuisance calling you.

I know but they're just a little kid and their voice and the things they say are quite cute.

OP posts:
OpheliaNightingale · Yesterday 13:35

The NSPCC may have done good advice should it continue.

BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:35

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · Yesterday 09:17

You can block any specific number (on a mobile phone).
Although the process might differ on different phones.

I don't have the specific number so I can't block

OP posts:
Smallestshadow · Yesterday 13:34

Might not even be a kid- very easy to fake prank calls using various apps/AI etc. Personally I’d go with the whistle option or another loud noise, or just putting the phone down straight away.

BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:33

Dontevenlookatme · Yesterday 07:34

Ben Dover and Phil McCavity I believe is the full phrase. Not a kiddy joke, a sexual one. Crude between adults but completely inappropriate with a child.

edited to add I realise it’s not your intention OP but it might indicate something about the child’s.

Edited

I've never heard Phil McCavity and never adults using either phrase. Only ever heard kids saying Ben Dover. He also said things like Sabrina Carpet Cleaner so I think he was just being silly.

OP posts:
BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:29

moppety · Yesterday 08:27

My iPhone has a setting where unknown numbers have to say a message explaining who they are, they are then placed on hold while you decide if you want to answer. Could you try that?

I have a Samsung and don't seem to have that option.

OP posts:
ACynicalDad · Yesterday 13:29

Call O2/three/etc whoever provides your number may be able to block

BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:26

IronEverything · Yesterday 08:21

Stop answering the bloody phone. You're encouraging it.

So I can't answer my own phone or I'm encoraging it?! I should be able to answer my own phone and speak to people needing to get hold of me!

OP posts:
BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 13:24

Moonnstarz · Yesterday 07:43

I think I would report this to 101. I think you can do it online rather than calling if that's easier.
Keep it factual - started with a joke. Now you have received multiple calls from them just wanting to chat.
Private number.
Sounds like a child. Now concerned over the number of calls to you and whether it is them trying to seek help.

Though just to add, is it definitely no one you or anyone your house knows? I recall my parents receiving calls from a child chatting, and it was the family I babysat for. Our number was saved in the phone and the kid just had to press a button and it would call someone on the contacts list.

I can't think of any child of that age that fits things he has said, tbh.

OP posts:
VC10vTristar · Yesterday 10:31

I’ve had success in extremis with the following, delivered in a matronly/military manner -

I ask tersely “is that the ambulance”?
then state “this is an emergency line for outgoing calls only, do not ring this number again”

SunnieShine · Yesterday 10:30

I doubt its a child.

PollyBell · Yesterday 09:50

BrighterDaysAhead2026 · Yesterday 01:49

I think just they are so young and very sweet I didn't want to be nasty. But you are probably right.

Very sweet using Ben Dover? Really?

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