Unraveling a Workplace Mystery: The Case of the Hacked Office Phones

In a unique twist that feels straight out of a detective novel, the office where I work is currently embroiled in an unsettling mystery involving phone hacking. For the past year, our office phones have been persistently hijacked, redirecting our calls to an untrustworthy dating service. This alarming situation has led us to suspect a malicious coworker, and despite our efforts to seek assistance from our service provider, AT&T has been unable to solve the issue.

As a dedicated employee, I’ve reached a breaking point. The workplace environment has become so toxic that I am seriously considering resigning. What troubles me most is the indifference from upper management, who seem unwilling to consider that someone within our ranks could intentionally sabotage the business. Nevertheless, I find it essential to seek justice before making any drastic decisions.

It’s worth noting that this bizarre scenario unfolds in a law firm, where the perpetrator could potentially face legal consequences if caught. The irony of this situation is not lost on me, especially given the nature of our work. This coworker, who I suspect is responsible for these continuous intrusions, embodies the worst of office politics. The atmosphere has morphed into a twisted game of Clue, where trust is hard to come by, and everyone seems like a potential suspect.

The Unraveling Mystery

Our office is equipped with outdated phones from a company called Comdial, now known as Zeracom. We operate six lines, with one dedicated to receiving client calls. Unfortunately, we’re frequently plagued by the nuisance of calls being forwarded to a dubious dating service multiple times daily. Today alone, this occurred four times. The only way we can reclaim our lines is by dialing 73# or *73, a temporary fix for a recurring problem.

What complicates matters is the consensus from ten professionals, including AT&T representatives and phone system technicians, all asserting that this type of hacking cannot happen externally. This revelation points to an internal perpetrator manipulating the system from within the office. However, despite the mounting evidence, our higher-ups are entrenched in denial. They have even suggested switching providers, but this merely challenges the symptoms rather than addressing the root cause: a potentially malicious coworker.

The suspected individual is particularly alarming, as she also manages our check deposits—an unsettling thought that raises further suspicions. Fortunately, I can confide in the company accountant, who happens to be