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When you call your friend, or they call you, do you ever get the feeling that that call was oddly different from the rest? Does your new 'friend' have the nasty habit of three-way-calling people to get dirt? Perhaps you have already become a victim of three-way calling? While you are very, very unlikely to die because your so called friend lets someone listen in on your phone call, if you do feel like your life might be in danger because of this situation, read this article to discover how to detect and avoid a very difficult situation.

  1. Is the speaker directly prompting you to speak about a friend? To prompt you to speak about someone, they may use 'bait phrases', or pretend that they are also angry with someone.
  2. In the case that there is a third party listening in, your words will be spread amongst those two people and more.
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  3. Some people forget that there is a mute button, or their phone does not contain one. There also is the possibility that the third party is standing right next to the speaker, or the talker has the phone on speakerphone mode.
  4. Does the speaker still attempt to bring up the person?
  5. For all you know, it really just might be a friend trying to get a sympathetic ear. Even if this was the case, still try to avoid phrases that would only put you down to their level.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    We are three people with the same carrier phone company. Can they interfere in phone calls without my knowledge?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you're asking if the other people who use you phone company have some special ability to interfere in your phone calls, no, they do not. They can only call you normally like everyone else.
  • Question
    How can I tell if someone is recording or listening in on my calls and texts?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    There are some apps that you can download that supposedly help track any interference on your phone, but those aren't necessarily reliable. This article can suggest some other tips: How to Tell if Your Phone Is Tapped.
  • Question
    Does an app exist that can detect 3-way calls and if the speaker is on?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Sadly no, you will have to invest in getting a separate device to detect and/or stop them.
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Tips

  • Never accept a call from an unknown number, especially from Private Callers, unless you are expecting it or if you are able to identify it.
  • It is a good idea to keep mean and angry thoughts about other people inside your mind, unless you are confronting the said person.
  • More likely than not, the chances that you are being bullied over the phone and the chances that our friend just wants you to listen are very different. Odds are that the call will be a latter of the two.
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Warnings

  • Never make one of these calls yourself. You'll A) Get a bad rep B) Be no better than the person you're plotting against and/or C) Be prone to get a taste of your own medicine someday.
  • You've heard this phrase once and you'll hear it again here; "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
  • Whether or not you are suspicious of a phone call being three way or not, refrain from using words that can easily be reported to someone else to get you into trouble.
  • Some phones have a feature which can tell you if your conversation involves two or more members. If your phone can detect it, end the call, unless the conversation is casual.
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About This Article

Stan Kats
Reviewed by:
Cybersecurity Expert
This article was reviewed by Stan Kats. Stan Kats is the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology & cybersecurity solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan has over 7 years of cybersecurity experience, holding senior positions in information security at General Motors, AIG, and Aramark over his career. Stan received a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. This article has been viewed 140,149 times.
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Co-authors: 10
Updated: March 18, 2021
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Reader Success Stories

  • Tammie Tate

    Tammie Tate

    Dec 10, 2018

    "I know for a fact that, without permission, I was put on three-way line. I know now to chose my words more wisely...." more
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