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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

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Original poster

tracking a mobile phone

42 replies

sunnysidesucks · 23/08/2016 23:02

Am looking for practical help and advice please. I've received a couple of nasty anonymous texts. I have the mobile number. When I call it is says 'the mobile you've called is not available' usually, but twice it has rung twice then cut. I am guessing it might be a pay as you go. Is there a way of tracking/tracing who it belongs to or where it is? TIA

OP posts:

Original poster

sunnysidesucks · 24/08/2016 15:09

yes, that sort of thing - accusing me of multiple affairs during my marriage (not true!!) (I'm divorced), and that I'm still sleeping around now with another good friend's husband. (I'm not!!)
My kids have seen them, and my partner, and friends - it is very distressing.
I know they aren't true, but it is incredibly upsetting that someone is targeting me in this way and trying to damage relationships.

OP posts:

123rd · 24/08/2016 15:09

Am I right in assuming that even tho you have blocked the number, the owner wouldn't realise they are blocked ? As in would the text get "bounced back"?

Original poster

sunnysidesucks · 24/08/2016 15:11

I don't think texts get bounced back like e mails? I think the sender thinks it has gone, but the recipient just doesn't receive?

OP posts:

EnglebertSlaptyback · 24/08/2016 15:21

The police can do work on the phone number. From this they can identify the SIM ID (ICCID).
This may not be registered to a person if it is a PAYG but if it is a contract phone it may have details associated.
From getting the ICCID they can cross reference this number (unique to every single SIM card in the world) with the IMEI. This is to identify the phones the SIM has been in.
They can also get call billing, cellsite (location data) and call data. It's a few forms to fill out and takes about 6 weeks or so, but this is mal comms or harassment.

FreeFromHarm · 24/08/2016 15:21

Did you tell the police who you thought it might be ?

LurkingHusband · 24/08/2016 15:41

Am I right in assuming that even tho you have blocked the number, the owner wouldn't realise they are blocked ? As in would the text get "bounced back"?

If we are talking bog-standard SMS then the sender has no way of knowing beyond a network "SMS received by remote network" receipt (which most phones won't request to start with). SMS is an insecure protocol which means delivery is not guaranteed (I vaguely wonder how many people have split up over unanswered texts ?).

Bear in mind if these messages are causing you distress you can also report them to your mobile provider, which might escalate things.

SandyY2K · 24/08/2016 16:18

Why would someone who you clearly know do this?

Are they jealous maybe?

Maybe your Ex trying to split you and your partner up? Was it an acrimonious split?

A jealous Ex girlfriend of your current partner maybe? Did he cheat on someone with you?

Have you had a fallout or major disagreement with someone?

Try this ... get a new sim card and send a
message to all contacts in your phone, letting them know you have changed your contact number. Or you can send that message to a select number of people (including the person you suspect)

Stop using your current phone/number for a few months, unless to contact companies or to make general calls.

Then if you get any messages on your new number, you will know that one of your current contacts is the culprit or if you sent it to a select group that will narrow it down.

Either way address the message along the lines of *'This is [your name], the number I'm texting from is my new mobile number. Please save this and delete any other number you have for me' Thanks.

Summerlovinf · 24/08/2016 16:25

Block the number and ignore them

Amy214 · 24/08/2016 17:26

Block the number then change your own. Only give it to people you trust, close family members partner and children. Anyone else can use your landline or contact your partner.

HuskyLover1 · 24/08/2016 17:38

SandyY2k suggestion is a good one, but, I would only send that text to the person who you suspect. But word it as if you've sent it to your whole contacts list. Then wait. For days if need be.

If your hear nothing and there are others you suspect, then systematically do the same with them. Leaving several days in between. That's the only way you will identify exactly who it is. Narrowing it down won't really help.

I would also be calling that number at 1am, 2am, 3am, 4am just to really piss them off (even two rings will wake them up), all with your number blocked of course

Original poster

sunnysidesucks · 24/08/2016 23:35

Thanks all for your suggestions and ideas.

Because of my work, I can't change my phone, but I've blocked the number anyway, and will keep trying it at odd times.

Am also going to go to the local police station too about harassment.

I think it is either my ex, (although for some reason my gut tells me it isn't), in which case, because of various other details, it is someone close - I just can't work out a motivation and imagine anybody else doing it.

Although when I've googled about anonymous texts etc, apparently sometimes it can be someone quite random, e.g. a neighbour who you have never really noticed?!

OP posts:

MiddleClassProblem · 24/08/2016 23:46

That's awful. Why are some people so pathetic? Does it really give them satisfaction the thought of you receiving these messages? What a boring life they must lead to do such a thing.

Original poster

sunnysidesucks · 24/08/2016 23:48

That's what I keep trying to tell myself. It is a sad, lonely person doing this, and I shouldn't let it get to me.

But the thought that someone must dislike me so much to be doing this and saying the things they are saying is very upsetting. And it is challenging several of my relationships (family / partner ), but after many long conversations things are smoothing. :(

OP posts:

Littleladylumps · 25/08/2016 00:42

Can your service provider help in any way?
Maybe change your number? I know you shouldn't have to but if it puts a stop to it with out too much drama or expenditure?

BitOutOfPractice · 25/08/2016 00:50

I can imagine how distressing it is op.

I'd do what sandy said (and include husky's modification) and see what happens

Hidingtonothing · 25/08/2016 01:01

Even if it's a PAYG phone it may still have details attached if you can persuade the police to investigate. Some networks won't activate the SIM without registration details and most people top up by debit card these days, whoever's doing this may not have been as clever as they think. Definitely pursue it as harassment OP and play up the 'causing alarm and distress' element as this will sometimes make the police take your complaint more seriously. Good luck, horrible situation for you

Livelovebehappy · 25/08/2016 09:55

This happened to my teen daughter a few years ago, and I contacted my own mobile phone provider (t mobile at the time) and they said they could trace the caller and had processes in place to issue a warning to them. The caller though in this incident hadn't blocked us, so I called the number and left a voicemail stating that if the texts didn't stop, I would be taking it further with my phone provider who would trace them, and I would then report to the police (bluffed a bit, as wasn't sure if police would take the matter forward). It worked, and no further messages received. Maybe you could call from another phone and leave a message along similar lines, which might scare the caller into stopping? Worth a try.

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