Sheilaclapkin's Blog;

A phone call came in yesterday afternoon from the police department in Bellingham, which I was told, but already knew, is located in the state of Washington. The officer introduced herself with such rapidity that I hardly understood a word she was saying.

When she asked who I was, and I said, “ Well, who are you?’

She said, “I just told you”

I replied, “You spoke so fast I did not understand you.”

“I am officer Greene from the police department in Washington State.”

“Oh.”

“We have a complaint that some teenage boys are making lewd remarks to people using this number.”

Right away the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up.  I said, “Officer, this is a serious accusation and I want you to know we are an elderly couple and there are no teenage boys in our life.”

“Okay, then I am sorry for the intrusion.”

“I understand you are sorry, but I am concerned that someone reported my number, the number of an innocent old lady.”

She said, “I said I am sorry.”

I said, “I am sorry, too.”

We hung up, but my mind was still racing. First of all, that is the first time I have ever referred to the in habitants of our home as an elderly couple and me as an old lady. Yuck. Second of all, I realized then and there, we are all sitting ducks. Your number can be turned in for many erroneous reasons and you can be as innocent as can be, but still you have been implicated.  This accusation was made several thousands of miles away in a place I have never been by reporting my number as being used to make lewd remarks. I do not see how they could have picked up our number because we have private caller attached to our phone and our number is never revealed.

See how easily and unknowingly you can become wronged. This is a minor allegation, but there are many that are worse and have been perpetrated, as has this accusing phone call.  I remain unnerved.