You may have seen the commercials on TV. The ones where someone is driving and they suddenly get a call from an unknown number. They answer it, and it’s some guy trying to sell them car insurance or a timeshare. And the person hangs up on him.
These commercials are funny, but they have a kernel of truth. Most people don’t know what to do when they get calls from unknown numbers. Many people answer the phone without thinking about it and then regret it later when they realize it was a scammer or telemarketer.
But don’t worry, you’re not alone. In this article, we’ll tell you what to do if you get a call from an unknown number.
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Do not Answer the Call
This may seem an obvious solution, but many people still answer calls from unknown numbers out of curiosity. If you don’t want to talk to someone, don’t answer the call. Let it go to voicemail, and then you can decide whether or not to call back.
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If the caller leaves a voicemail, you can listen to it and decide whether or not to call them back. Often, telemarketers and scammers leave a generic message that doesn’t say much. So if you get a voicemail like this, you can safely assume it’s not someone you want to talk to.
Use Reverse Phone Search
The first thing you should do if you get a call from an unknown number is to use a reverse phone search. This will allow you to discover who the person is and why they’re calling you. The best way to make use of a reverse phone number lookup is to use a website that allows you to access this kind of information. You will get information about who the caller is, their location, and what type of phone they’re using.
This can be helpful if you’re trying to track down a friend or family member who has a new number. You can also use it to determine if a call is coming from a telemarketer or scammer. You can ignore the number if you see that it is associated with a scam.
You can try Googling the phone number if the number is not associated with any known scams. This will often bring up results from people who have been called by that number and shared their experiences online.
Report the Call to the FTC
If you’re getting a lot of unwanted calls from unknown numbers, you can help stop it by reporting the calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is the US consumer protection agency investigating companies that engage in illegal or deceptive practices.
To file a complaint with the FTC, go to their website and fill out a short form. Be sure to include as much information about the call as possible, like the number that called you, what was said, and when it happened.
The more complaints the FTC receives about a company, the more likely it will take action against them. So if you’re getting a lot of unwanted calls, be sure to report them.
Block the Number
If you’re getting calls from unknown numbers regularly, it may be time to block the number. This will stop the calls from coming through, and you won’t have to worry about them anymore.
There are a few different ways to block a number, but using your phone’s built-in blocking features is the easiest way. Most phones have this feature, and it’s usually pretty simple to use. Go into your phone’s settings and look for the call blocking option.
You can also download a call blocker app from your app store. These apps are designed specifically for blocking unwanted calls and usually have more features than the built-in blocking features on your phone.
If you’re getting calls from a specific number, you can also ask your phone company to block the number for you. They may charge a small fee for this service, but it’s worth it if unwanted calls harass you.
Use Caller ID Spoofing Detection Services
A few different services can help you detect caller ID spoofing. This is when someone uses a fake number to call you to trick you into answering. Their aim is usually to scam you out of money or personal information.
Caller ID spoofing is illegal in the US, but that doesn’t stop scammers from doing it. So if you’re getting a lot of calls from unknown numbers, it’s a good idea to use one of these services. If you’re getting a lot of calls from unknown numbers, it’s worth signing up for one of these services. They can help you keep track of which numbers are real and which ones are fake.
One popular caller ID spoofing detection service is TrapCall. This service provides a real-time feed of incoming calls, so you can see the caller’s information before you answer. They also offer other features like call blocking and voicemail transcription.
Another popular service is RoboKiller. This service uses artificial intelligence to screen calls and block spam callers. They also offer a 7-day free trial, so you can try it out before you commit to a subscription.
Ignore the Call
If you don’t want to answer the call, and you don’t want to block the number, then your best bet is to ignore it. The person on the other end will eventually give up and move on to someone else.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to put up with unwanted calls forever. If a specific number harasses you, you can always take action against them (as discussed above). But if you’re getting random calls from unknown numbers, ignoring them is usually the best course of action.
You can also try to have some fun with them. If you’re feeling brave, you can waste their time by staying on the line and asking them silly questions. Or you can make up a fake name and address and give it to them. They’ll probably never call you back, but messing with telemarketers is always fun.
Getting calls from unknown numbers can be annoying, but you don’t have to put up with it. Just use one of the methods above to stop the calls from coming through. And if you do answer a call from an unknown number, hang up and ignore them. Don’t engage in conversation, and don’t give them any personal information.
