How to Make a Prank Call

If you're bored and want to annoy a stranger, a friend or even a business owner, then making a prank call may be just the activity you're looking for. As long as you're aware that making prank calls may get you in trouble with the law -- and even arrested, in some cases -- and are willing to take the risk, you can make a prank call that baffles, annoys, or even downright infuriates the person at the other end of the line. Be aware that what you do may offend the person at the other end of the line. If you want to know how to make a successful prank call, just follow these steps. It is also a good idea to use a phone book so you know the name of the person. This will make the prank call more believable.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Prepare to Make a Prank Call

  1. Step 1 Make the call...
    Make the call anonymous. In North America, dialing *67 before you make the call will block your phone number and make it appear as a private listing for some, but not all, phone calls. (Calls to N11 codes (where N is a number from 2-9), toll-free, and premium-rate numbers cannot be blocked this way). You can easily find the code that will block your number in your country with a bit of Internet research.
  2. Step 2 Develop a persona.
    Come up with a fake name, act as if you were going to give them a free raffle prize or contest or an amazing school they got into, for example. Do not come up with a real accent, this may be offensive to the victim and you can get arrested for racist prank calls, and a shtick, or reason why you're calling. Are you a telemarketer? An ex-girlfriend? An old, grumpy neighbor?
  3. Step 3 Rehearse what you'll say before the call.
    Write down some notes to help you remember what you're going to say. Prank calling is a fun group activity too, so if you're making prank calls with the help of a friend, then you can practice with the friend until you have it down. If you can, even call your friend on your cell phone to practice talking into the phone.
    • While it's important to rehearse what you're going to say, it's also important to get to know the character you're impersonating so that you can go with the flow and say anything depending on what the person on the other end of the line says. If you're too worried about sticking to your script, you won't be able to improvise.
  4. Step 4 Practice disguising your...
    Practice disguising your voice. If you're calling someone you know, then you have to take extra care to disguise your voice so you don't get caught immediately. If you want to let your friend in on the joke at the end of the call, that's fine, but if your friend, enemy, or acquaintance recognizes your voice from the start, then your prank call attempt will be a flop.
    • If you want your voice to sound more nasal, just pinch your nose and practice talking so that the sound feels like it's going into your nose.
    • If you want your voice to sound more raspy, then scream into a pillow before you make the call.
    • If you want to get fancy, you can invest in some voice-distortion technology.
  5. Step 5 Remember not to laugh or break character.
    This is important. Laughing is like saying "Hello, this call is a prank call so you should hang up." Act calmly so the person you're calling stays oblivious and doesn't hang up. If you want to keep it going but have to laugh, shove your face into a pillow and quickly bring yourself back together.
  6. Step 6 Avoid legal trouble.
    If you really want to avoid getting in trouble with the law, then you should stop making prank calls altogether, or stick to calling people who you know well and who will get the joke and won't want to take legal action. Still, there are a few specific ways that your call can break the law, so avoid making any calls that may be interpreted as the following:[1]
    • Harassment. Making an obnoxious prank call once may just be annoying, but calling a person repeatedly during the call of one prank call session, calling a person every day for an extended period of time, or even calling a person in the middle of the night repeatedly, can be seen as harassment. Making any threats is also considered harassment.
    • Disorderly conduct. This is a broad category, but anything that is meant to be offensive, includes abusive language, or just meant to generally make a person very angry is considered disorderly conduct.
    • Hate crimes. If you use the victim's religion, race, weight, national origin, or sexual orientation as a point of mockery, then you would be considered to be making a hate crime. If you're calling a stranger and he happens to have an accent, just mocking his accent can be considered a hate crime. Hate crimes are felonies.
    • Wiretapping. You may think it's funny to record the prank call exchange in case the person on the other end of the line says something hilarious, but recording a call without the consent of the other party is actually considered a felony in many states.
    • Never call the fire department, police, ambulance service, coastguards, government officials, financial institutions or any other agencies that are devoted to protecting and saving people like the Federal Bureau Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, American Red Cross, Centers for Disease Control or The White House. Your call will be traced and you will be in a large amount of trouble.
    • Be aware that if someone feels they've received a threatening, upsetting or harmful telephone call, they can dial *57 to have the call traced and contact the police. What started as a prank might end with law enforcement or the police knocking on your door.
  7. Step 7 Dial the number on your phone.
    Take a deep breath and wait for the fun to begin.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Prank Calling Someone You Know

  1. Step 1 Call the parents of someone you know posing as the school principal.
    If you want to seek revenge on a classmate, then call the classmate's house and pretend to be the school principal. Make sure that one of the parents pick up. Here's how you do it:
    • Mrs. Smith: "Hello?"
    • You: "Hello, this is Mr. Jones, the principal of San Marcos High school. Am I speaking with Mrs. Smith?"
    • Mrs. Smith: "Yes. How can I help you?"
    • You: "This is about your son, Jeremy. I'm afraid to inform you that he's in big trouble here. He got into a fight with two boys and is on his way to my office. I'd like you to come here as soon as possible so we can discuss the matter."
    • Mrs. Smith: "My goodness! I'll be over there as soon as possible."
  2. Step 2 Call a friend with fake news of a pot delivery.
    If you have a friend who is particularly afraid of her parents and is worried that she'll get in trouble for almost anything, even getting home just ten minutes past her curfew, then you should call her pretending that you're confirming pot delivery to her home. Here's how you do it:[2]
    • Kelley: "Hello?"
    • You: "Hey, is Kelley there?"
    • Kelley: "This is Kelley."
    • You: "Cool. I just wanted to confirm the weed delivery for tomorrow. Someone will be dropping by to deliver the goods at 6 pm."
    • Kelley: "What? I didn't call for any weed delivery. You must have the wrong person."
    • You: "This is Kelley Murray, right? You go to John P. Stevens High School?"
    • Kelley: "Yeah, but -- cancel the order. My parents will kill me."
    • You: "Just look out for a yellow Hummer. Someone will be there at 6 pm sharp. Goodbye."
  3. Step 3 Call the parents of someone you know pretending to be a significant other.
    This is another great one. If you really want to annoy someone you know and to get them in big trouble with their parents, then you should call them posing as a random hookup of their daughter or son. Here's how you do it:
    • Mr. Wolf: "Hello?"
    • You: "Uh, hi. May I please speak to Mr. Wolf?"
    • Mr. Wolf: "Why yes, this is he. How can I help you?"
    • You: "So, um, this is kind of awkward, but I was in your daughter Marla's room two nights ago and I left my wallet behind."
    • Mr. Wolf: "You what?"
    • You: "Well, I was hooking up -- er, hanging out -- with your daughter, and I left my wallet in her room. I've been trying to call her for two days but she's been ignoring me, so I had to call the house. Sorry, sir, but I really do need my wallet."
    • Mr. Wolf: "How did you get in the house?"
    • You: "Oh, I did what all the guys do. I snuck in through the window."
    • Mr. Wolf: "You what?"
    • You: "I went through the window? Anyway, would you mind looking for the wallet for me, sir?"
    • Mr. Wolf: "And where might I find it?"
    • You: "Well, um, it should be at the bottom of the bed. Next to my boxers. Would you mind grabbing those too?"
  4. Step 4 Pretend to be a love interest of the person.
    Let's say you and your friend went out to the bars the night before and he got so drunk that you know he won't remember what happened. This is the perfect opportunity to pretend to be a love interest that the person met at the bar and to make him really nervous.
    • Jake: "Hello?"
    • You: "You sound even sexier over the phone."
    • Jake: "Excuse me?"
    • You: "I said, you sound even sexier over the phone. I had so much fun with you last night."
    • Jake: "Who is this?"
    • You: "Don't play dumb with me."
    • Jake: "Uh...is this a joke?"
    • You: "This is Stacey. From Rick's cafe. We spent a lot of time in the bathroom having some fun? You told me I was the perfect girl for you right?"
    • Jake: "Uh, right...
    • You: "Don't be embarrassed. I know you love me. I think it's cute when men are so open like that. Anyway, it was so sweet of you to offer to go to the wedding with me today. You know how embarrassing it is when your plus one bails at the last minute, especially when it's your sister's wedding...my parents will feel so much better now."
    • Jake: "A wedding?"
    • You: "You're adorable. Listen, I'll be there to pick you up in an hour. I can't wait to see you."
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Just be aware that this is the exact kind of thing that will get you called upon.

Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Prank Calling Strangers

  1. Step 1 Pretend that the person called you.
    One great prank call for a stranger is to call a person repeatedly pretending he or she called you. Just don't do it too much or this will be considered harassment. Try this on for size:
    • You: "Hello? Hello?"
    • Other person: "Hello?"
    • You: "Who is this?"
    • Other person: "Uh, who is this? You're the one who called me."
    • You: "No, you're the one who called me. Who is this, and how can I help you?"
    • Other person: "There must be some mistake." (Hangs up.)
    • You: "Hello? What do you want?"
    • Other person: "Look, you called me again."
    • You: "What are you talking about? My phone just rang again. This is getting a little ridiculous."
  2. Step 2 Pretend that the person left a note on your car.
    Act like the person left a note on your car apologizing for hitting it. This is a great way to make a stranger feel completely confused and very flustered.
    • Other person: "Hello?"
    • You: "Hi, this is the person who owns the red Mazda you hit yesterday?"
    • Other person: "Excuse me?"
    • You: "You left a note on my car. You hit the side of my car in the Shop Rite parking lot? Thanks so much for leaving a note -- I know so many schmucks would just drive away."
    • Other person: "No, I'm sorry, I didn't go to Shop Rite yesterday. There must be some mistake."
    • You: "But this is the number that was left. Look, man, my car is completely ruined. I took it to the shop this morning and there's at least five thousand dollars in damages here. I can't even drive it for three days."
    • Other person: "I'm sorry, but that really wasn't me."
    • You: "So you're changing your tune now, eh, Mr. Good citizen?"
    • Other person: "Look, I'm going hang up now."
    • You: "Don't worry -- I'll be right over to talk about this. Good thing you left your address too!"
  3. Step 3 Act like you and the person are partners in crime.
    This is a silly one -- pretend that you and the person committed a crime together. Act like you're in cahoots and insist that the person doesn't have to play dumb with you. Here's what you do:
    • Other person: "Hello?"
    • You: "They're on to us. They know what we did to Jim."
    • Other person: "What?"
    • You: "I said, they know. Listen, we need to get out of town."
    • Other person: "I don't know what you're talking about."
    • You: "Don't play dumb! It was all your idea!"
    • Other person: "I don't know any Jim -- "
    • You: "I'll be over in fifteen minutes. Pack up."
  4. Step 4 Ask to speak to people with suggestive names.
    This type of prank call has been made famous by Bart Simpson. This is a short but sweet way to make a prank call. All you have to do is call and ask for people with a variety of names that will sound offensive when they're repeated. Just ask for the person and sit back and wait for the victim to realize what you've said when he repeats the name. Here are some great names to try:
    • "Master Bates."
    • "Mike Rotch."
    • "Bea O' Problem."
    • "Al Coholic."
    • "Ivanna Tinkle."
    • "Amanda Hugginkiss."
    • Hugh Jass
    • " Wilma Leggrowbach"
    • Ayma Hogg
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Prank Calling a Local Business

  1. Step 1 Ask a local restaurant for a recipe.
    This is a silly yet effective method for a prank call that will instantly confuse the person you're calling -- and annoy him or her more than a little bit. Here's how you do it:[3]
    • Restaurant employee: "Hello?"
    • You: "Hi, I'd like the recipe for your chicken enchiladas, please."
    • Restaurant employee: "Excuse me?"
    • You: "I said can I have the recipe for your chicken enchiladas, please? I want to make them tonight."
    • Restaurant employee: "I'm sorry, sir, but we can't give that information out."
    • You: "Come on! I'm really hungry."
    • Restaurant employee: "If you want our chicken enchiladas, you'll have to order them."
    • You: "No way! They're way too expensive!"
  2. Step 2 Call an Italian restaurant asking for Chinese food.
    This one is simple. Act flustered when the restaurant won't give you the food you want. Just follow the steps:[4]
    • Restaurant employee:: "Hello?"
    • You: "Hi, I'd like to order some egg drop soup and beef fried rice."
    • Restaurant employee:: "I'm sorry, but you must have the wrong place. This is Bruno's -- we're an Italian restaurant."
    • You: "I know who you are, but I'm having a craving for some egg drop soup and beef fried rice."
    • Restaurant employee: "That's not on the menu."
    • You: "What do you mean, it's not on the menu? What kind of a racist are you? This is unbelievable!"
  3. Step 3 Call a local pizzeria and ask for a boneless pizza.
    If they tell you that they don't serve it there, then criticize them for only having bones in their pizza. If they say what kind of pizza say that there is only one kind of boneless pizza. It's hilarious if done right!
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What if you get caught?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Apologise if the person is angered. Chances are if you prank call someone you don't know, you may upset people, so own up to your mistakes and don't make excuses.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Is it against the law to make prank calls?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    As long as you don't make any bomb or death threats or the like, prank calling is legal.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Should I prank call the supermarket?
    Pearlbelle
    Pearlbelle
    Top Answerer
    Supermarkets aren't usually there to save people, so you probably could prank call them. Not repeatedly though, as that could be seen as harassment, which will get you in trouble. Stick to one prank call per person, to avoid annoying them further.
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Tips

  • Try to be in a quiet room. If you have friends around, make sure they are quiet. If there are any disruptive noises, the receiver may realise that it is a prank call.
    Thanks
  • You can also prank call from your computer. Try whospy.net or dialpeople.com and you will be able to send them a prank call with different people's voices. Remember to play safe and don't use threatening messages.
    Thanks
  • Never call someone you know while they are close by. (This should be common sense.)
    Thanks
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Warnings

  • Never prank call the emergency services. Making a prank call to 911 or your local emergency service number is a felony. It wastes resources and if you choose to call emergency services for a non-emergency reason, the police will track down your information (even if you try to hide your phone number) and respond to the location. You will be fined, have a court appearance, and maybe even end up in prison. It is a disorderly conduct. Federal law requires all police officers to respond to all 911 calls. Calling emergency services to report a false crime will result in the police and SWAT (Special Weapons Assault Team) being dispatched. Doing this activity is breaking federal law and is considered terrorism.
    Thanks
  • Never make prank calls that endanger the public. Making a phone call that involves a threat or hostile behavior, including physical and bomb threats, are illegal in all states and countries. These phone calls will be taken seriously by the authorities and should you engage in these behaviors you will be charged and even sent to prison. This is considered an act of terrorism.
    Thanks
  • You are never completely anonymous. Many places have caller ID functions and some cannot be blocked. If the police get involved, blocked caller ID will not stop them tracking you down.
    Thanks
  • Don't waste someone's resources by ordering someone you don't want on someone else's behalf. This is a crime in many jurisdictions.
    Thanks
  • Do not try to make fun of someone who has some kind of disability. Doing so would be inhuman.
    Thanks
  • Never make prank calls to helplines like Childline. While you are having a joke around somebody could have suicidal thoughts and because of you they won't have somebody to talk to through the dark times in their life. Be considerate of others.
    Thanks
  • Being mean under the disguise of a sound board can lose you a friend. Be careful.
    Thanks
  • Don't prank people working at call centers. Many companies will penalize workers that don't sell a certain percentage of their calls.
    Thanks
  • In some countries, recording phone calls without consent or a court order is also illegal.
    Thanks
  • Don't take it too far. Different things bother different people. What you think is funny might cause someone else to feel emotionally hurt or worried, so be careful what you say!
    Thanks
  • Making threats, using obscene language or "adult" language over the phone and prank calling a person more than once are all illegal in the USA, UK and some other countries.
    Thanks
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References

  1. ↑ http://blogs.findlaw.com/blotter/2012/11/can-prank-calls-get-you-arrested.html
  2. ↑ http://www.buzzle.com/articles/great-prank-call-ideas.html
  3. ↑ http://www.buzzle.com/articles/great-prank-call-ideas.html
  4. ↑ http://www.buzzle.com/articles/great-prank-call-ideas.html

About this article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 185 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 1,167,424 times.
333 votes - 64%
Co-authors: 185
Updated: December 16, 2023
Views: 1,167,424
Article SummaryX

Before you make a prank call, take some time to think of what you will say and to create a character. For example, you could pretend to be a teacher or a news reporter calling to discuss some trouble the person you are calling got into. Once you know what you will say, dial *67 before making the call so that your phone number will be blocked. Then, call someone you will know who will appreciate the joke and deliver your lines. Remember not to laugh or they will know it is a prank call! To learn how to avoid legal trouble while making prank calls, read on!

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