ULPT Request: I need a number to call to act like I am on the phone

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Hey-Just-Saying@reddit

This is so fake. Cell phones don't have dial tones. LOL!

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NurseOtaku@reddit (OP)

What are you even talking about?

I want a number to call that isn't just a dial tone. How you got cell phone don't have dial tones so this is fake is crazy.

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Hey-Just-Saying@reddit

Do you know what a dial tone is? Only landlines have them.

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NurseOtaku@reddit (OP)

Did you know cell phones can call landlines?

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I think you two are talking about different things. 1. For land lines, the dial tone is the low, constant hum you hear before you dial that confirms you’re connected to the phone system. 2. Dial tone is sometimes synonymous (though less often) with the tone you hear when call a number and the person hasn’t answered yet.

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SirWarm6963@reddit

Back in the day you could call "time" can't remember the number but you dialed and a recording told you "at the tone, the time will be nine fifty four pm exactly". I used that one a few times to fake i was calling someone. Nowadays I'd call any doctor's office they take forever to pick up.

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eo5g@reddit

I think there's a US naval observatory whatever you can call for that

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Strong-Object-9583@reddit

472-1212 at the tone the time will be 8:43 a.m. beep.

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BobSacramanto@reddit

A local bank here had an automated time and temp number back in the day.

When you called it gave you the current time, current temperature, and the days high and low temps.

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Dependent_Ideal_6769@reddit

TI6-1212 for time

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spencerrf@reddit

Came here to see this comment lol. I used to do it so the phone wouldn’t ring and I could pick up calls on the other line in the middle of the night!

Can’t remember for the life of me wtf it ever was or how to call it now.

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djfdhigkgfIaruflg@reddit

We have a number for testing around here. It just calls you back and the "conversation" stays connected until you hang up. 115, but I dunno if it works for cellphones.

We used it as a prank tool with landlines when we where kids.

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Beneficial-Way-8742@reddit

In mid-Atlantic US, it used to be 844-1212, or 844-2525, preceded by any area code

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imrunninglate0hno@reddit

In my area code it was 599-1234

I called it all the time when I was bored lol

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Agreeable_Matter_934@reddit

Yes! Pop-corn was the number, in CA at least!

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PrincessBuzzkill@reddit

Stop being so damn polite and enabling their bad behavior?

Be rude. Unhinged even. Yell. Tell them you don't care and the conversation is a waste of your time.

Maybe they'll get the hint.

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NurseOtaku@reddit (OP)

Yeah, no. I am not going to be rude, unhinged and yell at a very special needs person who is one of the sweetest people I know. That might be your thing but some of us have hearts.

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PrincessBuzzkill@reddit

You asked for an ULPT. I gave you one.

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pittpat@reddit

Call Mike Jones

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Humble-Tree1011@reddit

“Hang on, this is my cat nanny, I have to take this” always works for me.

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LotusBlooming90@reddit

As a cat nanny this checks out. If I’m calling a client, it’s serious. Would be absurd not to drop everything to take that call and makes perfect sense that everyone respects it.

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Humble-Tree1011@reddit

Added bonus: you don’t even need a cat! Who would know?

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lokiandgoose@reddit

Oh sure, I've nannied many a cat and someone can absolutely pay you to not watch their cat because they don't have one

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Humble-Tree1011@reddit

I have four. My long time Cat nanny swears she’s only seen two.

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littlebunnydoot@reddit

I have an app called fake call - and you can set it to call you in a minute or whatever and then it has a recording talking.

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cnull@reddit

(415) 705-0008

I have used this number for decades for mobile device product testing. It answers immediately, stays live forever, and just echoes everything you say back to you. No idea how I discovered it originally. I call it “Loopback.”

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Shora-Sam@reddit

You can definitely tell by the responses here who has and hasn't worked with special needs people - (multiple, maybe not a specific person)

I don't have any suggestions for you but sympathize with your situation. I serviced a location years ago as a supported living center and there were definitely some buildings the caregivers had to intervene because I simply would not get my work done due to the residents. They mean no harm, they simply just don't understand no matter how firm, direct, you are and in fact after a while that can make things worse. Thankfully the caregivers there usually could catch on and would intervene - usually removing them from the location "hey I need your help" or something.

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newlifeIslandgirl@reddit

I’ll call you!

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darksteel1335@reddit

I swear to God, there was a phone number or app or something for this exact purpose. But for life of me, I can’t remember what it is.

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nunyabuziness1@reddit

I just walk around with one earbud in and my silenced phone in my pocket. If approached by someone I wanted to ignore, I’d just point at my earbud and mouth the words, I’m on the phone, I’ll catch up with you later, while faking my side of the conversation and walking off.

I usually had my phone on playing a movie or music anyway.

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Asleep_Stay9874@reddit

Take a screenshot of when you're actually on a call and then pull that up on your screen

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Rabid_Dingo@reddit

DO NOT forget to silence your phone during the "CALL."

Back when cell phones were just becoming popular and an elitist trait. (Yes, people would look down on those without a phone. More so than today.) I had a guy walk up to me as a Customer Service Rep, but he had his flip phone up to his ear like he was very very important. The concept back then was new enough that we hadn't developed some of the social skills or cues that exist today.

While pretending to talk to me and pretend to be on the phone, his phone rang. Me and my counterparts looked at each other, started laughing and asked the guy, "you wanna get that?" It was hilarious. His "status" evaporated with the ringtone.

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harrisoncj@reddit

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RuggedHangnail@reddit

My friends and I saw this happen as well! It was hilarious to see the man on the phone's face when he realized we were all staring at him when his phone rang!

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Embarrassed-Leg-4246@reddit

Just be sure your cheek doesn’t accidentally swipe the image to the next photo lol

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JRISPAYAT@reddit

Or maybe a video screen capture of about 1 minute let’s say maybe 40 minutes into a call

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DojaViking@reddit

Just make sure your phone's muted so you don't get an actual call or notification while you're "on the phone"

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GenXRN@reddit

My little brain was blown at the simplicity of this!
I’m usually a very efficient problem solver, but you definitely have the easiest solution!

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Jmonroe_tenn@reddit

This is the way👆👆👆

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itzbetter@reddit

Here’s one! And there’s many more.

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CreatedInError@reddit

719-26-OATES

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Kristiwallsnyc@reddit

Thank you for this wow

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zufa86@reddit

OMG I came here to post this. I’ve had Colin Oates in my contacts for… idk well over a decade?? I’m so glad other people know about it 😂

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Malcolmsyoungerbro@reddit

“You have called Call’nOates, your Hall and Oates hotline. For Maneater press 1. For Private Eyes press 2. For Rich Girl press 3. For Out Of Touch press 4.”

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OlGunnar@reddit

https://www.npr.org/2011/12/21/144069758/callin-oates-the-hotline-you-dont-need-but-might-call-anyway

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Necessary_Sort9383@reddit

The irs

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myocardia27@reddit

This. It took me 2 hours to get through to a human

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Sleepysensation@reddit

They dropped my call after holding 2 hours yesterday. 🙄

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broke_cowboy@reddit

Same, all for them to tell me I owe 27 dollars

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im_no_doctor_lol@reddit

[Name] Callin' Oates [Mobile] 17192662837

Save that number, you're welcome. You can call and listen to any popular Hall and Oates song. Hall and Oates on demand baby!

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jealoucy@reddit

Can’t go for that.

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glitterbeardwizard@reddit

Put you hand up in front of you and say firmly. “I need my personal space, you’re standing too close”. If they try to look at your phone, saying “my phone is private and none of your business”.

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Direct_Suggestion286@reddit

I have to do this at work. Some of my special needs clients. If some of them see my screen, they will quickly memorize what they see 😳

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Tyzorg@reddit

They Have fake call apps

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Acceptable_Ad7457@reddit

Does Time & Temperature still exist? I'm old.

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False_Mud_3325@reddit

Wow. Unblocked a memory for me

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Neodymium@reddit

At the third stroke, the time with be eight fifty-nine and 10 seconds. Boop boop boop.

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SashaMarie2617@reddit

You can call these numbers they all play specific songs

Jenny at (304) 867-5309 cause you got her number

⁠719-266-2837 (719-26-OATES) - "Callin' Oates: Your emergency Hall & Oates hotline"

Here's a couple more:

248-434-5508 Rick at his finest

828-549-7069 BeverlyBot at her worst ;)

⁠800-437-7950 - MCI's ANAC number; will read back the calling number (your number) to you.

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Quirky-Invite7664@reddit

LOL. I just saved the Rick number in my phone. Plan to rickroll my husband in the future. Will text him and say “Hey, can you call me at this number?” He’ll totally fall for it.

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andbosta@reddit

Airports have phone numbers you can call and listen to the automated weather reporting information (as an alternative to listening to it in-flight on the radio). Not sure if they’ll kick you off after a while though.

https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/weather/asos

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Titans79@reddit

Call your Internet provider. They always seem to want to talk for hours on in.

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WatchingTellyNow@reddit

Take a screenshot when you're on the phone, then bring up the screenshot when you need it. You don't need a real phonecall.

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Quirky-Invite7664@reddit

That’s a good point…

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raison_de_eatre@reddit

https://dialapod.net/

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Quirky-Invite7664@reddit

This sounds like a good one. OP might learn something while he’s avoiding talking.

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glorybetogluten@reddit

I used to have this problem at my work. I found that walking to the bathroom generally stopped this behavior.

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Quirky-Invite7664@reddit

Yes! “Sorrygottaruntothebathroom!” said while quickly walking away. Works every time and they smile and nod in understanding.

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Fleischkomet@reddit

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fungame.fakecall.prankfriend

Set a time and the app will "call" you. You can even choose a name and a profile picture for the caller, and the phone model you are using (so the call screen matches yours).

It's also possible to select a prerecorded voice or your record your own.

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CuteCanary@reddit

You can choose which Hall and Oates song they play. The call lasts about 5 minutes or so

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Quirky-Invite7664@reddit

Lololol

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an-com-42@reddit

there is an app I used to use. You set a timer and it calls you when the timer is up.

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drowningintime@reddit

Try this:

Fake caller

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Fabulous_Worth288@reddit

You can call me if you throw me five-ten bucks a call depending on how long the call. You don't even have to shoot me a text first or anything, just let me know what numbers you'll be calling from and I'll make sure to answer yours. I have pretty much nothing but time on my hands, and Im pretty decent at improv/acting challengea. I'm also unemployed, use amphetamines so Im awake all the time. I'll even call you if you need me to and come up with some kind of emergency to get out of whatever it is you're trying to avoid. Heck, put me down as a reference on your resume or rental applications for apartments, I'll be your landlord and/or room mate. Job application? No problem, former management here with a five-star review. I can be anything you need me to be, on the phone, for a nominal fee! Seriously let me know lol.

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Status-Visit-918@reddit

Yeah I don’t care if you call me either as long as I can use you for the same purposes (not to get out of the same scenario - I just need to get out of useless meetings occasionally)

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SecretStabbie@reddit

Call yourself or call your work #

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scubahana@reddit

You can call me, or even send an ‘sos’ and I can call you to get you out of it.

If we’re international to each other then do it over FaceTime audio and it will run via WiFi/dara and not incur international rates.

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jlbd783@reddit

The natioal weather service has local hotlines you can call for recorded forcasts

Numbers are found here

https://www.weather.gov/dial-a-forecast/

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J_Side@reddit

Can you call your own number from teams?

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acringtonstanley@reddit

There are apps that mimic a call - call simulator is one. It rings you back in a set time and quite effective-other apps are available

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slowasaspeedingsloth@reddit

I don't have a real suggestion... but they VERIFIED you were actually on the phone? My suggestion would be to use a fake call for now, but you should probably practice being more assertive, at least to the point you don't let them look at your phone. You should be able to 'talk' on the phone and they should be deterred by you holding up a hand or finger.

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cburns122@reddit

Came here to say this. OP might want to consider working on setting boundaries rather than faking a phone call. A simple “Hey, I gotta run but it was good chatting!” would do just fine.

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Kazaryn@reddit

If the person is unable to take the hint setting it clear is probably appreciated, speaking as someone who doesn't always understand subtlety myself. It might take some time for them to get used to the boundary but I am optimistic they would understand in the long run I dunno

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ExcitementKooky418@reddit

They might be taking OP too literally: 'i can't talk right now' "ok that's fine, I just want you to listen"

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GenXRN@reddit

As someone that spent many years working with people with special needs, sometimes it’s easier to tell a fib than it is to set boundaries.

Especially since this person is a casual acquaintance, not someone in their immediate circle.

It seems that OP is empathetic to the situation and is looking for the ‘nicest’ way to excuse themselves from the interaction.

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JustCallMeKV@reddit

Agreed! OP owes nothing to this person to show them ‘proof.’

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RuleBreakingOstrich@reddit

It sounds like you’re using indirect communication to be nice which they might not be able to decipher. When they keep talking after you say “I can’t talk right now”, do you start listening? Or do you walk away or repeat that you can’t talk? It might not feel nice to you but being direct might be the only way.

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BlizzfulBean@reddit

I once used this AI thing my friend had told me about that called you pretending to be your mom. It worked like a charm and got me out of a very uncomfortable situation with an ex-coworker. It was called Mom is calling or something along those lines

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Birdbraned@reddit

You need to learn how to make a quick exit. Don't wait for their acknowledgement, just state your piece and leave.

-phone alarm goes off-
"Is it time already?"

-Stand up, grab your stuff, keep talking:
"Sorry, I have to get going, let's continue this next time, kthxbai" and exist stage left.

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JustPlainRude@reddit

hey are the nicest person ever but have no sense of time and are unable to take hints.

So stop hinting and be direct? Set a boundary.

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therealbananabottom@reddit

This is the way. OP is not doing this person any favors by acting like a people pleaser. Walk away from the time waster (politely, not in a mean way), after "Hey, I'm working on something important here, I have to stop talking now."

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femmefatalx@reddit

It seems like the problem is that they have already been straightforward and direct, but it just doesn’t work. In the post OP said that they’ve told this person they can’t talk right now, or that they’re working on something and can’t talk until they finish what they’re doing, but nothing has worked until they just happened to be on the phone when this person approached them.

It seems like OP needs to be at this place and they actually are there to work on whatever it is they’re working on, so they can’t just resolve the issue by leaving either. I imagine that constantly repeating themself with no result would get to be pretty exhausting after a while, so I don’t really blame them for wanting to take the path of least resistance at this point.

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amanning072@reddit

🎵 Red Ball Market Global 🎵

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FirstPersonality3169@reddit

Ive previously worked supporting people experiencing intellectual developmental disabilities. Sometimes blunt is good. If you aren't the person to be teaching the person its fine for you to set a boundary and exit.

Somehow a blunt conversation about how long is appropriate to talk to people is maybe needed. Need doesnt make you best person to do it, or maybe in this persons life you are. If i was the staff supporting this person in public Id have tried to have a conversation

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Oldies-But-Goodies@reddit

Does anyone remember Movie Phone?

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Embarrassed-Leg-4246@reddit

Just be sure your cheek doesn’t accidentally swipe the image to the next photo lol

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ScaryClothes1946@reddit

There’s a hotline called “Callin Oates” you pick one of three songs (I always pick Rich Girl) and it will play you the whole thing. It’s fantastic I’ve used it since middle school (719)26-OATES

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HAL_9000_V2@reddit

Create a new alarm on your phone that uses a phone ringtone for the alarm sound. Set this alarm when meeting this person. Maybe warn them you are expecting an important call. When the alarm goes off, “answer the phone” and start talking on the phone while excusing yourself from the in-person conversation.

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NotTheGreenestThumb@reddit

Works well right up to the time your phone rings with a real caller! LOL

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DiamondTippedDriller@reddit

Make sure you’re in airplane mode 😬

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McDropshot@reddit

If you have an iPhone you may be able to set up a shortcut to sound your ringer

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MacintoshEddie@reddit

Somewhere a call center employee just started breathing heavily, their fingertips are tingling, they've prepared for this moment, they're waiting for your call.

But really though it sounds like you just need clear boundaries. Not hints. Hints aren't boundaries. They might not have a sense of time but you do.

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NotTheGreenestThumb@reddit

Special needs peeps often simply do not and possibly cannot understand boundaries that aren’t physical.

I have a mentally ill relative that does fine in relationships that are conducted over tables or counters etc. When there’s no physical barrier between them and someone else, particularly one of the opposite gender roughly their age. They can’t figure out the distance to maintain and always always err on the side of too close.

We have long had to tell them “I don’t want to hurt your feelings because I like/love you but I can’t get my work done when you are in the room, it’s just too distracting. So you will have to leave now and I’ll talk with you at supper/bedtime/breakfast tomorrow” etc. Sometimes we have to have a written list ready to hand to them with what they should do in the meantime.

When they’re having a very good day, no list is required, but those days are not frequent.

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ConsequenceFamous465@reddit

Call me. I have time to kill.

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Impossible_Bison_994@reddit

(your area code) 876-5309 Ask for Jenny

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RustyRiley4@reddit

Years ago I would’ve said the Nestle Crunch hotline, but that’s been disconnected. Try something like this ? https://www.peptoc.org/hotline

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asyouwish@reddit

There used to be a thing where you could schedule a Gotta Go call.

Used it once to get away from a batshit neighbor.

I'm sorry I can't remember more, but maybe that term will help you find something.

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Mk1fish@reddit

Call a time share sales man. They will always pick up right away and will talk for hours.

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ancaleta@reddit

Just call the suicide prevention hotline

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HAL_9000_V2@reddit

Please only call the hotline if you need it

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SphericalOrb@reddit

Search for dial-a-story + your region to find a local phone number for the service. There's usually a short menu where you can choose a language, then a recording of someone reading a kids story will play for a while. https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-is-dial-a-story.htm

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ur_mom_n_dem@reddit

Call the time and temperature it's a recording 419- 626- 1121

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raisedonaporch@reddit

https://www.npr.org/2011/12/21/144069758/callin-oates-the-hotline-you-dont-need-but-might-call-anyway

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everydaynarcissism@reddit

I'd put Mike Jones's phone number here to call but it looks like that's not allowed.

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itzbetter@reddit

Call T-Mobile you’ll be on hold for hours and hours.

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JohnLuckPikard@reddit

You mist have pissed someone off. I never have to wait long.

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itzbetter@reddit

Pissed them off? Really I’ve been charged for three, THREE WiFi plans, 2 have never been used. I was told it would take a month to get my money back, it’s been nearly 2. Over $1500 easily in charges (actually more) . I pissed them off by walking into a store and wanting a $45 dollar WiFi plan? Nothing is resolved and I have little spent hours on the phone. I’m calm, kind and polite. Your comment is bullshit. There outsourced customer service is crap.
Yeah, I’m very upset and would like my money back.

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Beneficial-Way-8742@reddit

Verizon is really good for this too. You got to go through so many prompts to get to live person - if you can get your live person

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MissionDocument6029@reddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/VOIP/comments/1h1dzjl/phone_number_for_lenny/

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srirachaLotsa@reddit

Today I Learned about LENNY

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vvCharles@reddit

I’m interested in this, feel free to call me

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jimmysofat6864@reddit

If you have a tile tracker you can press the button and it will ping your phone and you can act like somebody is calling you and then you can leave the room.

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DoctorJekylll@reddit

Download the app "Fake Me"

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chrysanthamumm@reddit

Set a timer for 1 minute and “answer” the ringing lol

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Xtay1@reddit

Any 900 number... just have your credit card on file.

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BrozerCommozer@reddit

Set an alarm for 7 minutes from that point or any oddball amount of time.

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miraculum_one@reddit

There are apps for this, e.g. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.muzafferus.rescueringer

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Sledheadjack@reddit

If they are special needs, the whole needing personal space thing might be the key…

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Sledheadjack@reddit

Can you still call weather?

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aannoonnyymmoouuss99@reddit

“Get me somebody. Anybody. And get me somebody while I'm waiting"

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AndrewsMother@reddit

😂 Griswold!

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JoinedReddit@reddit

Library back home had a dial-a-story line for decades. Might still.

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FlipMyWigBaby@reddit

Call your own number and leave a long ass voicemail

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Electronic_Fix_9060@reddit

Are you in Australia? Call Centrelink, Optus or Telstra. You’ll be on hold an hour minimum.

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Altruisticpoet3@reddit

I keep my phone on vibrate, not ring, unless I'm expecting a call. I have pulled my phone out of my pocket, lit it up and said, "oh, have to take this, good seeing you!". Then split. Works a treat!.

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bmd201@reddit

611

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Short-Match7034@reddit

Depending on what kind of phone you have there are free apps you can download to simulate someone from your contact list calling you. iOS has one called simple fake call. I don’t know what android has.

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Ok-Equivalent8260@reddit

Grow up

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New-Geezer@reddit

You’re in the wrong sub

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No_Educator_6376@reddit

Just call a friend and chit chat

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Sum-Duud@reddit

get a google voice number and call it and leave your self messages, or set up an OpenClaw agent with voice, that you can call (or tell to call you) and have a journaling session.

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Quiet_Lunch_1300@reddit

I just hold my phone up to my ear and pretend like I’m talking to someone.

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MrKirkPowers@reddit

(855) 371-2253 is the baking recipe hotline. Problem solved, but maybe it’s too ethical.

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LevelPerception4@reddit

Call your state’s unemployment office.

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pdxjen@reddit

EDD specifically

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__fujoshi@reddit

just use a screenshot or screen record a phone call you're making to someone and flash that with no sound.

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Valus_@reddit

what if you set up a Google Voice number, and set up the voicemail with a custom message that sounds like the other end of a conversation… I just searched and looks like you can make a three minute long voicemail message on that. And you pretend to talk to yourself?

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sweetgrl019@reddit

There are a few free wake up call websites that I have used when starting a new job for instance to make sure I was on time. Provides an option to schedule and test the call as well, giving you an opportunity to save to contacts. You could do it with a 2-3 different websites scheduled to be spaced out at whatever time increments make sense and overlap with the interaction you want to avoid. There’s a voice on the other end but I don’t remember what it says.

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It’s a large school so may of the number work. Try that!

Or Google any help line number. Self help.