3 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Answering Unknown Calls

We all receive them: those mysterious phone calls from numbers we do not recognize. While your first instinct might be to answer politely, handling unknown callers requires a specific set of rules today. Here are the top three mistakes people make when picking up the phone.

Mistake 1: Saying the Word "Yes" Immediately

Traditional phone etiquette taught us to answer the phone with a polite greeting and confirm our identity. However, when dealing with an unknown caller, saying the word “yes” right at the beginning of the conversation is a major security risk.

Scammers frequently use a tactic known as the “Can you hear me?” scam. When you answer the phone, the automated voice or live person on the other end will immediately ask, “Can you hear me?” or “Is this [Your Name]?” If you reply with a simple “yes,” the scammers record your voice. They can then use this audio recording as a voice signature to authorize fraudulent charges on your utility bills, credit cards, or other voice-automated phone systems.

What to do instead: When you answer an unknown number, stick to a neutral “Hello.” If the caller asks if you can hear them, respond with “I can hear you” or “Who is calling?” Never use the word “yes” until you have absolutely verified the identity of the person on the other end of the line.

Mistake 2: Confirming Personal Information

Another frequent mistake is automatically trusting the caller ID or the person’s stated identity. Scammers have sophisticated tools that allow them to spoof phone numbers. Your caller ID might say “Bank of America,” “Internal Revenue Service,” or “Apple Support,” but the person calling could be a fraudster halfway across the world.

These callers will often create a sense of urgency. They might claim your bank account has been compromised, your Amazon package is lost, or you owe back taxes. They will then ask you to “verify” your identity by providing your address, your date of birth, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Providing this information gives them exactly what they need to steal your identity.

What to do instead: Legitimate organizations will rarely call you out of the blue and demand personal information. If someone claims to be from your bank or a government agency, hang up the phone immediately. Look up the official customer service number for that organization on their verified website and call them back directly to see if there is a real issue.

Mistake 3: Pressing Buttons to Opt-Out

You answer the phone, and instead of a live person, you hear a pre-recorded robotic voice. The message might offer you a lower interest rate on your credit card or a free vacation. At the end of the message, the voice will typically say, “Press 1 to speak to a representative, or press 9 to be removed from our calling list.”

Pressing any button is a massive mistake. You might think pressing 9 will stop the annoying calls, but it actually does the exact opposite. By interacting with the keypad, you signal to the automated dialing software that your phone number is active and monitored by a real human being. Your number is then marked as a “hot lead” and sold to other telemarketing and scam networks, guaranteeing you will receive even more spam calls in the future.

What to do instead: If you hear a robocall, simply hang up the phone immediately. Do not press any buttons, and do not attempt to speak to a representative to complain.

Modern Call Etiquette: Best Practices for Unknown Numbers

The safest approach to modern phone etiquette regarding unknown numbers is simple: let it go to voicemail. If the call is truly important, the person will leave a message or send you a text.

To help manage the influx of spam, take advantage of the built-in technology on your smartphone. If you use an Apple iPhone, you can go into your settings and activate the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature. This automatically sends numbers not in your contact list straight to voicemail. Android devices, like the Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy, have similar “Caller ID and Spam Protection” features built into their native phone applications. Additionally, you can download reputable third-party call-screening applications like Truecaller or Hiya to help filter out known scam numbers before your phone even rings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I call back an unknown number that hangs up after one ring? No. This is a common tactic called the “One-Ring Scam.” Scammers use international premium-rate numbers and hang up quickly, hoping you will call back out of curiosity. If you return the call, you will be charged exorbitant per-minute fees on your next phone bill.

How can I permanently block a specific spam number? Both iOS and Android operating systems allow you to block specific numbers easily. Go to your recent calls list, tap the information icon next to the unknown number, and scroll down to select “Block this Caller.” While scammers frequently change numbers, blocking the ones that repeatedly call you will help reduce the overall volume over time.