Area Code (617) Calls

[scarhead]

Anyone getting calls from these phone numbers recently? For the past few months, I've been getting unwanted telephone calls from phone numbers with a (617) area code.

The times that I have answered the call there has been a female with a Russian or Ukrainian accent and tonight there was a male with same accent. These callers begin by asking if I speak Russian. I ask the purpose of their call is and there's a long pause then they say "Hello?" When I have not answered they do not leave a voice mail. I've attempted to engage them in conversation, but they either hang up or just don't speak. During one call I asked them what they wanted, but there was no response. I was bored and in kind of a funny mood so I said "Hey, you called and I answered what do you want to talk about?" I got dead air and then a click.

This evening's call was from (617)826.6114 and others have been from the same area code and prefix with different ending numbers.

Has anyone gotten these calls or have any information on what these people want?

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by scarhead

Anyone getting calls from these phone numbers recently? For the past few months, I've been getting unwanted telephone calls from phone numbers with a (617) area code.

The times that I have answered the call there has been a female with a Russian or Ukrainian accent and tonight there was a male with same accent. These callers begin by asking if I speak Russian. I ask the purpose of their call is and there's a long pause then they say "Hello?" When I have not answered they do not leave a voice mail. I've attempted to engage them in conversation, but they either hang up or just don't speak. During one call I asked them what they wanted, but there was no response. I was bored and in kind of a funny mood so I said "Hey, you called and I answered what do you want to talk about?" I got dead air and then a click.

This evening's call was from (617)826.6114 and others have been from the same area code and prefix with different ending numbers.

Has anyone gotten these calls or have any information on what these people want?

Out of curiosity, how can you tell the difference between a Russian and Ukrainian accent? Ukrainian is my first language and I've sometimes confused the two myself!

[NutNut]

I've never received any calls as that but the 617 area code is from Boston, MA.

[scarhead]

Originally Posted by Mockingbird

Out of curiosity, how can you tell the difference between a Russian and Ukrainian accent? Ukrainian is my first language and I've sometimes confused the two myself!

That is so funny you asked that! I just thought the same thing to myself when I re-read my original post

I think I meant to say and/or rather than "or" in terms of contrasting them.

[Mockingbird]

Originally Posted by scarhead

That is so funny you asked that! I just thought the same thing to myself when I re-read my original post

I think I meant to say and/or rather than "or" in terms of contrasting them.

Yeah I mean... With no offense meant to my motherland... They pretty much sound the same.

*hides from angry Ukrainian mob*

[Lion]

Fortunately I haven't received any calls...btw how do you get rid of unsolicited people calling from organizations who want a donation???

[GradyPhilpott]

6178266114

You can click the link above and you may find some answers, or at least someone in the same boat.

There's some indication that the callers are Bosnian, but I cannot confirm that first-hand.

[psynch]

Maybe this might help shed some light:

http://www.phonetray.net/Search.aspx?n=6178266114

[therolexguy]

....the investigation continues.

[Art161]

Originally Posted by Lion

Fortunately I haven't received any calls...btw how do you get rid of unsolicited people calling from organizations who want a donation???

I don't have that problem. I screen my calls before answering.

[Lion]

Originally Posted by Art161

I don't have that problem. I screen my calls before answering.

I know but it's a pain when they call. When I know it's a computer making the call I let it go to the answering machine or I pick up the phone and don't say anything!!!

[Esexx]

I know in california the Penal Code is 653(m). Annoying/threatening phone calls.

I would keep a log (number called you, date and time) and make sure you tell them not to call you again. Then if they become a huge pain in the rear and still call you, can file a police report with your local agency.

[Lion]

Dean, I'm not sure if Illinois has the same type of set up. Now how did you get rid of junk mail???

[StarSovereign]

Sounds pretty creepy. We're just coming out of an election cycle, so a lot of random calls people get are from polling firms looking for data. These typically come from large cities like Boston, MA, as it's where they're stationed, but the whole Russian thing is kind of scary. The fact that they have not engaged you in conversation or asked for anyone is even more troubling, as it sounds like you haven't even had the chance to tell them they have the wrong number. If this is an ongoing thing I'd call the police...

[Esexx]

Originally Posted by Lion

Dean, I'm not sure if Illinois has the same type of set up. Now how did you get rid of junk mail???

Hmmm...guess us Californian's are just more of an annoyance on the telephone.

Found it (subsection #4):

(720 ILCS 135/1‑1) (from Ch. 134, par. 16.4‑1)
Sec. 1‑1. Harassment by telephone). Harassment by telephone is use of telephone communication for any of the following purposes:
(1) Making any comment, request, suggestion or
proposal which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or indecent with an intent to offend; or

(2) Making a telephone call, whether or not
conversation ensues, with intent to abuse, threaten or harass any person at the called number; or

(3) Making or causing the telephone of another
repeatedly to ring, with intent to harass any person at the called number; or

(4) Making repeated telephone calls, during which
conversation ensues, solely to harass any person at the called number; or

[scarhead]

Originally Posted by Esexx

Hmmm...guess us Californian's are just more of an annoyance on the telephone.

Found it (subsection #4):

(720 ILCS 135/1‑1) (from Ch. 134, par. 16.4‑1)
Sec. 1‑1. Harassment by telephone). Harassment by telephone is use of telephone communication for any of the following purposes:
(1) Making any comment, request, suggestion or
proposal which is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy or indecent with an intent to offend; or

(2) Making a telephone call, whether or not
conversation ensues, with intent to abuse, threaten or harass any person at the called number; or

(3) Making or causing the telephone of another
repeatedly to ring, with intent to harass any person at the called number; or

(4) Making repeated telephone calls, during which
conversation ensues, solely to harass any person at the called number; or

The problem here will be to identify the specific person who is making the above described calls and then charge them. Most local state's/district attorney's will not approve charges on out-of-state individuals because of bringing them to trial from great distances (i.e., extradition) based on misdemeanor charges. The way around this is to charge them either on the federal level or if the State Attorney General's Office charges them. In the latter case, usually a large number of complaints must be received.

Good info, btw. Thanks for posting.

[Sixshooter]

Google shows that you are not the first one to have issues with that number. A few boards I saw said the caller ID will show up as a locksmith in Boston, although it is a Long-Distance phone service provider out of Romania. Sounds like they are quite relentless about selling their services, and don't believe in cordial conversation!


EDIT: Just realized Psynch and Grady gave the same info above. My Bad!