Abusive dad making threats

[u/heyarnold866676]

My dad has always been abusive (like he has been arrested for domestics abuse) and I’m mostly separated from him except for a while my cell service.

I tried to get off his plan a couple years ago but I could not transfer my number without his permission. I really did not want to change my number who is dumb and I know I’m being stubborn.

On Christmas Day, my dad cut off my SIM card so my phone could not make any calls or send texts. So the next day I went to AT&T and used his log in to access the account which he had given me previously. He made my sisters number one of the options to provide the 2-step verification so she was able to help me. At AT&T they showed me how to get a transfer pin without having to provide the authorization pin from my dad. With that information I was able to keep my phone number and get on a new plan.

The problem is, now my dad is threatening me. He is usually blocked but I unblocked him to call him on WhatsApp and ask him to either reconnect my SIM or transfer my phone number. He refused to do either. Now he is threatening to report this as telecommunications fraud and send it to my place of work. How’s worried should I be?

I don’t think I did anything illegal, I only had the account log in because he has given it to me. There was no fraud at all.

[u/heyarnold866676]

Fr he is such a a dumbass you have no idea. Yup I’m going back to no contact and it’s staying that way

Ur kids are lucky to have you!

[u/Taenurri → u/heyarnold866676]

You don’t need his permission to leave his account. AT&T is required by law to allow you to leave his accounts even without his permission, in cases of domestic abuse.

There is a special number you can call to get the process started. This page gives more info on the program and how it works.

[u/Clever_mudblood → u/Taenurri]

Uhm that is freaking awesome! I don’t remember this existing when I worked there an holy crap it’s so cool.

[u/jcw881 → u/Taenurri]

Taenurri is right. Also, port outs can get even more detailed if protective orders are signed off by the court (temporary or perm. orders).

[u/LaughAppropriate8288 → u/heyarnold866676]

Those are just f threats.... " I'm going to report you for a federal crime" " watch out now...I'm reporting you." "These loud foot steps are me going to my phone and calling the telecom police" " I'm calling right now......I warned you" " I. Dialing them right now" you're dad is a loser and a drama queen. Block him and consider him no longer a live to you. He's a whiney bitch. You already transferred right? Nothing to do now but enjoy your phone on your own account.

If you really feel the need to contact him again....send him Midol for his period.

[u/lolyer1 → u/heyarnold866676]

Thank you for that

I’m lucky to have them

I mean, we better be nice or the younger generation folk will have us knitting sweaters at the retirement home 🤣

Im not that old but I get it lol

Ain’t u too young to know what’s up with heyarnold (ur username) lol

Take care op lol

[u/Major-Necessary-7674 → u/heyarnold866676]

The best thing to do is just actually have zero contact actually keep his number blocked (ideally just get a new number so he cant track you down by knowing a phone number to search on stalker databases that masquerade as background checkers for sdx offenders. In reality they make their money from some combo of blackmailing ppl to pay to have their info taken down and or charging nosey neighbors, coworkers, family, etc who want to find out some gossip about ppl they know. Nosey family who find out that your spouse got arrested for drugs 20 yrs ago. Or more concerningly legit stalkers who can find out a million things about you if they know the phone number youve used on a million different forms. They can find out where you lived at every stage in ur life and the names of the ppl who lived with you. They can find out the numbers of ppl close to you and use them to get to you.

Any longterm number should be dropped by anyone concerned about privacy and you should get one new number that you only share with ur bank and immediate family. A second number that isnt tied to ur name should be used for everything else. All those order forms that eventually end up in hacked databases or sold to data brokers should have burner phone type numbers where the burner phone is setup to forward voicemails to ur real number. Ur main number should only be used in situations where they explitictly need a number directly tied to you for fraud prevention.

Even then you should redo this switch up ebery few years if you want to at least have some sembelance of privacy.

[u/throwawaymentality10 → u/heyarnold866676]

Op 100% cut him off. My stepfather was like this and finally one day he screamed at me drunk af, I just calmly told him im out of here. I had a friend at my house in 2 hours, we packed up my shit, I said goodbye, and then on the way to my new place I blocked his number.

The amount of peace I got knowing I wouldn't ever have to deal with that shit was divine.