Help with a phone scam please.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

Forgive my ignorance in advance.
At least 5 times the past week, My mother has been getting a collect call from a prisoner. We know no one in prision and she has refused the call.
I called the phone company and have reported it as harrassment but they tell me that in order to do something they need the name of the prison. What do I or my mom need to do the next time he a calls?

[soothsayer]

1. If it's operator assisted, tell the operator. Otherwise, just ignore it

I guess.

[bobbobbins]

2. thats a scam that they pulled on my friend

the person calls collect from prison, and when you answer they say they got the wrong number and they're only allowed one call, or that they can't call a cell phone from prison, then they ask the caller to make a phone call for them, to tell someone that they're in jail and need help, and when you call that number, it basically gives the other guy free access to make long distance calls through your phone...not exactly sure how that part works, but thats the jist of it...

[BlackVelvetElvis]

4. That's what I've heard happens.

I really want to nail whoever is behind this. 5 times is enough.

[Misunderestimator]

3. Happened to me a few months ago...

I posted about it here and heard from a lot of others. Some sort of scam to get you to accept the call, then they're able to somehow utilize your account to charge other calls... or something. Anyhoo... just don't accept it and hang up. DO NOT ACCEPT THE CALL.

[Bossy Monkey]

5. If you get the prisoner's name and phone number

you can probably use a reverse directory (or maybe the internet) to find out what prison he's in, report him, and presumably the prison would take away his phone privileges. Just a guess, though; I haven't done any time.

On the other hand, she can just keep refusing, or you can block the number (but the phone company probably charges for this).

On edit: I'm an idiot. What are the odds the prisoner would give you his real name? However, the prison ought to know who was using the given phone at a given time, so reporting the calls to them is still a good idea.