Before You Hit "SEND"

A few months back I received a very violent threat via text message towards my family and I, from a number I didn't recognize. Since I had recently gotten a new phone and hadn't saved many of the numbers from the old phone, my mind began scrambling through all the possibilities of who it could be. I recognized the Area code and prefix because they matched mine. I responded, asking the sender to identify themselves. No response. I tried calling the number but the voicemail hadn't been set up yet. Could this be a joke? I did some basic searching for the number on the internet and found the number registered in Witchita Falls, Tx, about 2 hrs away from where we used to live. I called several times and sent several more text messages, threatening to call the cops if they didn't identify themselves. Four hours later the number text me back and apologized profusely saying that they had accidentally dialed the wrong number. I imagine that person felt very stupid and careless for their mistake. In a way I'm glad they sent the message to me. In realizing their own stupidity, they will probably think twice before sending another message like that, not to mention, double check the number before they send anything again.

If you are ever the victim of any violent messages, if it isn't immediately life threatening, here's my recommendation of what you should do.

If it is a phone number,
the best thing to do is contact your phone carrier. tell them to ZAP THE CRAP out of the sender. Really, just ask for their account to be deleted immediately.

If it is an email or an im,
forward the email to abuse@whateveremailcarrieritwasfrom.com, and make sure to include the full header so that it can be traced. Dont edit the email in anyway. at the top of the email, describe the situation, and ask the email service to, again, ZAP THE CRAP out of the sender. Really, just ask for their account to be deleted immediately.

In this day and age, where the average persons sends more text messages in a day than they have hair on their head, its easy to be careless with our itching thumbs. No one wants the awkwardness of sending an "I love you" to and ex girlfriend instead of your wife, or sending an inappropriate message, meant as a joke, to an unknown person you thought was your friend. All I say is please pay attention next time you send an email or text message. One number or character out of place can bring you more harm than you ever wanted to deal with. Im going to stop now as you probably have received 17 texts in the time it took you to read this blog. Say something nice for me.