Here’s What to Do When an Unknown Number Calls You

When your phone rings and the caller ID says “Unknown,” what do you do? Do you answer it? Ignore it? This is a question that many people have, especially with the rise of cell phones and Caller IDs. In this blog post, we will give you a guide on what to do when an unknown number calls you. We will also provide some tips on how to protect yourself from scam artists and telemarketers.

Getting calls from an unknown number – What to do in that situation?

Unknown calls are not new, but the technology to properly identify a caller has. If you have a cell phone, then you may have experienced getting calls from an unknown number at some point. In the past, people would just answer these calls and hope for the best. However, with the rise of scam artists and telemarketers, many people are now hesitant to answer these types of calls. Moreover, the folks behind PhoneNumbers.org say that you should be extra careful with answering unknown calls. Not so much due to the fact that there might be an unpleasant conversation on the other line waiting for us, but more because of the possible financial scam that might be running on the other side. So, what should you do when you get an unknown call?

The best thing to do is to let it go to voicemail

This way, you can listen to the message left and decide if you want to return the call or not. If it’s a telemarketer or a robocall, chances are they will leave a message. You can then add their number to your phone’s block list. If the caller leaves no message, you can use a reverse phone lookup service to try and identify the number. This is a service that takes a phone number and searches for it in public databases. Voicemails also might help you understand what the call is about without even having to answer it.

Ignore the call

This is probably the most common thing that people do when they get an unknown call. If you don’t recognize the number, then there’s a good chance that you don’t want to answer it. Letting it go to voicemail is the best way to handle these types of calls. However, if you’re worried about missing an important call, you can always add the number to your phone’s contact list and label it as “Unknown.” This way, you can screen the calls and only answer the ones that you want to.

Answer the call

If you’re feeling bold, you may always pick up the phone. However, we advise against this. You never know who you’re going to talk to on the other side. It could be a telemarketer, a scam artist, or even a wrong number. If you do decide to answer, be very careful about what information you give out. Never give out your personal information, such as your address or credit card number, to someone you don’t know.

Research the number

If you’re really curious about who called you, there are a few ways to find out. First, you can try doing a reverse phone lookup. This is a service that takes a phone number and searches for it in public databases. You can also try Googling the number to see if it’s associated with any businesses or organizations. Finally, you can always call the number back and see who answers. In addition to Googling your number, you can also check social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. People often post about getting calls from unknown numbers on these sites. Or if that does not work, you can always type the number in Viber or WhatsApp, and see if someone has that number saved under a name.

Understanding the scams that you might expect from an unknown number

Now that we’ve gone over what to do when you get an unknown call, let’s talk about some of the scams that you might encounter. While there are several options of what you can do when your phone rings and the screen says “Unknown”, understanding exactly what to expect can help you be more prepared.

Phishing

One of the most common scams is known as “phishing.” This is where scammers try to trick you into giving them your personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account information. They may do this by pretending to be from a government agency or a legitimate company. They may also threaten you with legal action if you don’t comply.

Telemarketing

Another common scam is telemarketing. This is where scammers call you and try to, usually, up-sell you something, oftentimes using high-pressure tactics. They may also try to get you to sign up for a trial or subscription that you’ll have to pay for later. Telemarketers also may try to get you to donate to a charity that doesn’t exist. These people are very skilled at what they do, so it’s important to be aware of their tactics. Or, you can always choose the safest tactic, which is to simply just ignore their call, or hang up!

Robocalls

Robocalls are automated calls that are often used for telemarketing purposes. These calls are very annoying and can be difficult to get rid of. The best way to deal with robocalls is to simply not answer them. If you do answer, just hang up as soon as you realize it’s a robocall. You can also try to block the number, but oftentimes they will just call from a different number.

Cramming

Cramming is a type of scam where you’re charged for a service that you didn’t sign up for. This can happen if you give your information to a telemarketer or enter it on a website. The best way to avoid this is to simply not give out your information to anyone who you don’t know and trust. Now, cramming can also happen if you sign up for a free trial of something and forget to cancel it. So, it’s important to be aware of the terms and conditions of any free trials that you sign up for and to set a reminder to cancel them before you’re charged.

Unknown calls can be annoying, but there are some simple steps that you can take to deal with them. First, you can try doing a reverse phone lookup to see if you can find out who the call is from. You can also try Googling the number or checking social media sites to see if anyone has posted about the call. If that doesn’t work, you can always call the number back and see who answers. Finally, it’s important to be aware of the different types of scams that you might encounter from an unknown caller. If you’re ever in doubt, the best thing to do is just ignore the call or hang up.