Bullying and malicious communications
What are malicious communications?
Anyone can be the victim of harassing, annoying, obscene or threatening calls or messages. These may include random calls by pranksters, calls at night, frequent pointless calls or those where the caller says nothing, calls from former romantic interests, or calls where some threat is made against you, those with whom you live, or your property.
Under Irish legislation, the sending or making of a threatening, obscene, offensive, indecent or menacing call is illegal under Section 13 of the Post Office (Amendment) Act 1951 and Section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the person Act 1997.
What can Vodafone do?
Vodafone operates a policy of zero tolerance of bullying and the sending of offensive text, picture messages or calls. In cases of persistent malicious communications that are causing needless anxiety to you, Vodafone can offer you a change of number free of charge. To do so please contact our helpdesk to request a number change for your account.
Useful advice
The following are some useful tips:
Do not reply to text or picture messages that you did not want to receive
Be careful of who you give your mobile phone number to
If you receive abusive messages or calls you should keep a note of the times and dates, save the message to your mobile phone
Try not to send messages to someone when you are angry or upset but rather wait till you have calmed down and had time to think
If you receive any more malicious calls or texts, log the number, call time, the date and any other information about the call. You may need this information if needed later for investigation.
It is important not to engage in conversation or reply to the caller or sender, as this may only encourage more malicious communications