Or are these phone calls really peculiar?!

[magnumicelolly]

So a couple of weeks ago my phone rang, it came up as a private number. This was at 2.14 in the morning on a Monday! I answered it, a little groggily (it woke me up!) thinking there was a possibility it might be something important... well who phones at that time if it isn't?! Anyway, I do the standard 'Hello? Hello?'' Then as there is no reply think ah bugger it and hang up. Ok, fine, these things happen, phone put on silent and back to sleep.

9 days later (a Wednesday), phone rings again at 2.12. Pick up again in a bleary sleep. ''Hello? Hello?'' This time I'm treated to breathing noises! I respond with 'urrhh think you have the wrong number, night!' followed by hanging up and returning to snoring!

Last night- well, morning (Monday again), same again. This time I was already awake but missed it ringing- again at 2.14am. They rang again, I picked up and said nothing, thinking ok let the bugger rack up a phone bill! They hung up after 40 seconds.

Now, is this some sort of nuisance call from a company- has anyone had similar silent calls at this time of night? Although sure I heard breathing the second time! Or do I maybe have my very own insomniac stalker?! And if so, any entertaining suggestions for how I can get some amusement from the situation?

The regular and oddly precise timing to within a few minutes is just weird, as is the length of time between calls! Didn't really think much of it till the third time it happened!

I assume as it comes up as private number there is no way to trace it?

I think BT can put a tracer on if the calls are threatening in any way - you could certainly argue that this is making you feel threatened! Not sure if the police have to be involved though.

If you're sure that there's someone there then blow a whistle very loudly down the phone.

If it's your landline, then you can phone BT and explain the problem and I think they will block it for you.

A ghost?

Call your service provider and tell them and they should be able to block it.

Even with an ex-directory number there are always some companies who get through.

If you think it's a stalker, blow a whistle down the phone start writing down when etc and keep an eye on it, if they keep on then call 101.

Timing's odd though, but it could be a company as there's always a pause while they connect to you.

Have you tried googling the number?

We had a call at a similar time one night (IIRC it was a UK landline number which is why I came to google it). I found lots of mentions of people receiving calls from the number at the same sort of time of night, all the calls being silent ones.

I will bear that in mind aj, if it continues to disturb my sleep- I am fond of sleeping!

Hiddenhome, it is my mobile, not landline. I think I have the option to block private numbers on my handset but don't really want to do this as I get work related calls (during the day!) which show as private numbers because of where they come from.

Agentzigzag, do you think the service provider can block this caller specifically or just private numbers in general? That's what I was thinking about the connection pause when some companies call- but what a random time to do it! And could have sworn I heard breathing the second time, but am never that with it when woken up!

Norbert, there is no number to google, it just comes up as 'private number'.

ah OK sorry, I thought you meant private number as in one with a UK 01XXX code.

Ah see what you mean! Nope, no number at all or I'd be ringing them back/googling like you suggest!

Blowing a whistle very loudly down a phone can do permanent damage to the hearing of the other person and is assault.

I can make my phone come up as 'private number' when I call other people by changing settings on it I think...

I wouldn't like that at all. Could you switch your mobile off overnight? The alarm will still work and so will emergency numbers.

That's really strange. Have you had a google of the tine and private number, see if anyone else is posting about it anywhere.

Any entertaining alternatives you can think of westiemamma?

That's horrible. Poor you. It would scare the hell out me

Please do not blow a whistle down the phone! I wish people wouldn't suggest this. I've had it done to me mistakenly and first it is stupidly painful and Secondly you can be done for GBH if you actually hurt someone.

Let your phone Co know and possibly the police.

Stropzilla - what utter nonsense! Done for gbh for blowing a whistle down the phone

Nacho, yes I tried googling it but only really came up with stuff about companies calling from certain numbers (which doesn't match as no number in this case!) and other unrelated things!

Imperial, I could switch it off yes, but sort of feel like I shouldn't have to. I know it's unlikely, but there's always the chance family or friends might urgently need help and I don't have a landline they could use to get hold of me instead.

It is probably someone bored who decided to type in a random number and it was yours. Because u picked up they decided to carry on ringing. My sis had this happen to her.

Is there anyway that u could switch ur phone off or on silent so that it doesnt bother u?

What mobile do you have? I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 and can black list individual numbers

Any entertaining alternatives you can think of westiemamma?

Xpost. If u make a note & see if there is a pattern could u switch it off on those days. The person might get bored if u dont answer.

Bimba, thanks, it isn't really worrying me at the moment, just think it is really odd how specific the time is! If it carries on/turns into something more threatening I may start quivering my lip though!

Stropzilla, what could the phone co actually do though does anyone know? Apart from barring all private numbers, which as I said above would cause work issues.

Sheldor it doesnt come up with a numer so that wouldnt be possible.

Err, excuse me, but stalkers deserve to have their hearing permanently damaged

I know it sounds like nonsense but it's true.