What should I do if I ever receive annoying, obscene, abusive, threatening or harassing telephone calls?
You should hang up at the first obscene word, and you should hang up if the caller remains silent after the second time you say “hello.” Remember, you control your telephone, not the person calling.
Do not give any information, such as your name or address, until the caller has properly identified themselves.
Call the St. Olaf Telephone Office. They will refer the matter to the proper authorities for investigation.
It is a crime under both state and federal laws for anyone to make obscene or harassing telephone calls. These laws have penalties of imprisonment and/or a fine.
Try Troubleshooting:
Trouble with your telephone service may be attributed to various devices connect to your telephone line. Fax machines, computer modems, satellite television systems, broadband or DSL connections and security systems are often the cause of a telephone service outage. As you begin to determine the cause of your telephone service problem, please keep these devices in mind.
Here are some examples of problems you may have.
I have a dial tone on at least one of my telephones, but not all of them.
Chances are the service outage you are experiencing is due to a telephone-related equipment failure at your business location. Disconnect the non-working phone and relocated it to a wall jack that has a working phone connected. If you hear a dial tone after moving the phone, it means your telephone is not the problem. The problem is mostly likely in your jack or wiring to the jack. You may repair it yourself or contact us.
If you still do not hear a dial tone, the problem is most likely in the telephone device you unplugged. It will need to be repaired or replaced.
If you have a dial tone, but you hear noise or static, you can find the source of your trouble through the process of elimination. Try disconnecting each telephone set and telephone related equipment (answering machines, computer modems, etc.) one at a time from the telephone jack. Check for noise on a different set after unplugging each piece of equipment. IF the noise stops, the static problem is most likely associated with the last piece of telephone equipment you unplugged. Keep the problem piece of equipment disconnected from the line until it is repaired or replaced.
If you continue to hear noise or static throughout the process outlined above, there’s a good possibility the service problem is associated with your inside wiring or jacks. Please contact us to set up a service appointment.
I don’t have dial tone on any of my telephones.
To get your phones working again as quickly as possible, you will need to determine whether the problem is inside your business or in the wiring outside your business. This determination can be made by testing your Network Interface Device (NID.) To perform this test, you will need a telephone set that is in good working condition and a screwdriver.
Locate the NID on the outside of your home—the gray box often contains a test jack that will allow you to check for dial tone. If you live in a condo or an apartment, the NID may be located inside your unit—usually in a closet, pantry or the laundry area.
Some businesses locations have a Common Station Protector instead of a NID, and these devices DO NOT have test jacks. If you have a CSP, you will not be able to test for a dial tone.
Use the screwdriver to open the NID. Locate the test jack and remove the connected cord. Wait one minute and then connect the telephone set to the test jack. Check for a dial tone. If you hear a dial tone, the problem is most likely due to an inside device or wire problem. If you do not hear a dial tone, the problem is most likely associated with the lines or equipment. Please contact us to set up a service appointment.
I can’t receive calls even though I have a dial tone.
It is possible that “call forwarding” has been activated on your telephone. This feature directs calls to your telephone number to be forwarded to another telephone number. Dial *73 to disable the call forwarding feature. Dial 1173 on a rotary dial telephone to disable this feature.
If you still cannot receive telephone calls after disabling the Call Forwarding feature, please contact us.
I cannot make Long Distance telephone calls.
To verity your existing Long Distance carrier, please call us from the line where the trouble occurs or call your chosen long distance carrier for additional assistance.
