When your phone dials itself
I came in from work last night to discover the internet was down, and my phone line was so full of static you couldn't hear anything incoming or outgoing. brute_farce called our provider for the internet first. To say they were less than helpful is an understatement. They kept insisting that they had to come into the house to check the lines inside. We kept insisting that nothing had changed with our BRAND NEW wires that THEY installed 2 months ago. We hadn't moved anything. They insist they have to send a technician sometime today between blah and blah. Well, we're telling them that no one will be there to let them in, as we leave for work at 6am and won't be returning until after 6pm. The guy isn't listening. After what feels like an eternity they agree to have the outside checked then call him on his cell phone.
Next we call the phone provider. Mind you, we have DSL and the internet and phone are the same provider and same phone jack. This representative is VERY helpful. She tells us the problem with our internet most likely has to do with the static on the phone line. She can't send a technician right away, but doesn't see a need for them to enter the house.
That taken care of, we settled in for a night of watching shows recorded on the DVR. Yup, we had an NCIS and NCIS: LA night. After about 2 hours my cell phone rings once. I pick it up, and it tells me I missed a call. I look at my missed calls and it's a number that is local but I don't recognize. So I call it. Makes sense, right? Turns out the number was the local police department and the dispatcher is asking me if I am alright. I tell him yes, and he starts telling me I called 911. I tell him I didn't, and he starts giving me attitude insisting I did. I tell him again that I didn't call anyone, let alone 911. I'm told to go to the door.
Why hello officers. Yes, I am standing here in my robe that I just dropped marinara sauce on. Yes, I am bewildered as to why they are there. No, I am not injured and I am not under duress. Yes, my phone line is not properly working. Here is my phone handset. Yes, I will call my provider and tell them that my line is dialing 911. Thank you for checking on me. Please put in your report that I am fine. My brother will flip when he reads it if you don't. Yes, my brother is one of your dispatchers. Have a nice night.
Call the phone provider back. Their response was something akin to an "ACK!" and a promise of sending someone right away and calling the police department and coordinating with them.
This morning, my phone isn't fixed, my internet isn't fixed, but at least my phone doesn't think it's in a life threatening situation anymore.
Next we call the phone provider. Mind you, we have DSL and the internet and phone are the same provider and same phone jack. This representative is VERY helpful. She tells us the problem with our internet most likely has to do with the static on the phone line. She can't send a technician right away, but doesn't see a need for them to enter the house.
That taken care of, we settled in for a night of watching shows recorded on the DVR. Yup, we had an NCIS and NCIS: LA night. After about 2 hours my cell phone rings once. I pick it up, and it tells me I missed a call. I look at my missed calls and it's a number that is local but I don't recognize. So I call it. Makes sense, right? Turns out the number was the local police department and the dispatcher is asking me if I am alright. I tell him yes, and he starts telling me I called 911. I tell him I didn't, and he starts giving me attitude insisting I did. I tell him again that I didn't call anyone, let alone 911. I'm told to go to the door.
Why hello officers. Yes, I am standing here in my robe that I just dropped marinara sauce on. Yes, I am bewildered as to why they are there. No, I am not injured and I am not under duress. Yes, my phone line is not properly working. Here is my phone handset. Yes, I will call my provider and tell them that my line is dialing 911. Thank you for checking on me. Please put in your report that I am fine. My brother will flip when he reads it if you don't. Yes, my brother is one of your dispatchers. Have a nice night.
Call the phone provider back. Their response was something akin to an "ACK!" and a promise of sending someone right away and calling the police department and coordinating with them.
This morning, my phone isn't fixed, my internet isn't fixed, but at least my phone doesn't think it's in a life threatening situation anymore.