What can I do if someone threatens me over the phone?

Get help if you’re being threatened in the U.S.

1. 1) Call the police: 911.
2. 2) While you are still on the phone with the police, text a friend or relative.
3. 3) Try to stay calm.
4. 4) Remember, people who are being racist or violent are not rational.
5. 5) If you speak English, speak in English to those around you.

Can you get in trouble for threatening someone over the phone?

Telephone abuse is a problem that seldom results in physical harm, but can be very disturbing. Many states have laws, which vary by state, making telephone threats a crime, with at least one state making it a felony.

What to do if someone makes a death threat to you?

Show the person any threatening messages, and make sure that he/she knows exactly who is threatening you. Get a restraining order. If there is no other way to defuse the threat, then consider obtaining a court order for the person to stop bothering you.

Can you report someone for death threats?

Report it to the police department where your home is located. They can either take the report or call a detective or point you in the right direction of who you need to speak with in order to report these matters.

What happens if someone sends you a death threat?

Anyone convicted of making a criminal threat faces a substantial time in jail or prison. A misdemeanor conviction can result in up to a year in county jail, while felony convictions can impose sentences of five years or more.

What’s the punishment for death threats?

These are threats of death or great bodily injury that are intended to (and that actually do) place victims in reasonable and sustained fear for their safety or that of their families. The offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, and is punishable by up to 3 years in jail or prison.

How do I report a death threat online?

Go to https://www.ic3.gov if someone is making threats online and you want to let the FBI know about it. Fill out the form with as many specific details about the threats and the person making them as possible. You can also cut and paste information, such as email headers or the text of the threats.

What should you do when someone threatens you on the phone?

Never, ever meet with the person alone! If possible, have your confidant stay with you while you make the phone call so he or she can act as a witness if things go south. From the moment the threat occurs, make sure to hold onto all evidence. Save messages, take screenshots, and keep a log of all contacts.

Is it illegal to make a death threat over the phone?

In some countries – like Australia – making a death threat over any telecommunication device is punishable by law. If your country has such laws you need to get advice as to whether the protections apply and what evidence you need to gather.

What to do if someone is threatening to kill you?

What to Do If Someone Threatens You: 4 Important Steps. 1 Step 1: Tell Someone! Never deal with a threat on your own. Even if you’re not ready to call the authorities yet, make sure your talk to someone about 2 Step 2: Retain All Evidence. 3 Step 3: Get a Restraining Order. 4 Step 4: Pursue Criminal and/or Civil Remedies.

What to do if someone threatens you with a threatening note?

Contact the police if you feel there’s enough to warrant their attention. A threatening note in your locker, for instance, could just as easily have been written by you. If you’re a student, you could ask your teachers if you could have a look at your classmates’ handwriting or phone numbers to compare them to what you’ve been given.