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How many times has this happened to you?
You’re sitting down with a nice cup of tea, maybe doing a crossword puzzle, when your phone rings. It’s not your daughter, it’s not the neighbor calling to gossip, and it’s not the friendly pharmacist.
Instead, the screen just says, “Unknown Number.” Ah, the dreaded unknown caller.
It could be the King of England offering you a knighthood… but not likely (not that you don’t deserve it!).
Best case scenario, it’s someone trying to sell you a timeshare in a place you’ve never heard of.
Worst case, it’s a scammer armed with a proven script who’s going to try to steal your money or personal info.
Handling unknown calls can feel like a game of telephone roulette. But fear not!
Today, we’re breaking down exactly what to do when that mysterious number pops up—and we’ll even make it fun.
What to Do When You Get a Call from an Unknown Number
First and foremost: DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT answer that call!
If it’s truly important or legitimate, the caller will leave a message. If they don’t, it’s not worth your time.
These days, it’s just not worth the risk.
So repeat after me: “I will not answer a phone call from an unknown number.”
If You Do Pick Up, Be Cautious
Alright, maybe you’re feeling adventurous, or you accidentally picked up the call while fumbling for your glasses. Now what?
If the person (or, even worse, a robot) starts talking and says, “Press 1 to remove yourself from our list,” hang up faster than you’d hang up on a bad joke from your cousin Earl. They’re just looking for folks to target with more calls.
Keep Your Personal Info Private
Imagine you’re talking to a stranger in a trench coat who asks for your Social Security number.
Weird, right? Well, an unknown caller is pretty much the same thing.
Never give out any personal information—no account numbers, no birthdates, not even your favorite flavor of pie.
If the caller says they’re from a company or the government, hang up and call them back using the number from their official websiteA website is a collection of interconnected web pages or digital content that are accessible via the... More.
Avoid “Yes” or “No” Answers
If the caller starts asking questions like, “Can you hear me?” or “Is this Mrs. Johnson?” don’t answer with “Yes” or “No.”
Scammers can record your voice and use it for fraud. Instead, go with something noncommittal, like, “Who’s asking?” or just hang up.
Honestly, hanging up is the MVP move here.
How to Find Out Who’s Calling You
Okay, you took our advice and didn’t answer the call. But curiosity’s now got the better of you.
You want to know who that unknown caller was without risking a five-hour lecture about extended car warranties.
Here are some ways you may be able to ID the caller.
If You Can See the Caller’s Number
GoogleGoogle is a multinational technology company known for its internet-related products and services, i... More It
First, try typing that number into Google. You might stumble upon some forum where disgruntled folks have reported the number as a spam-slinging menace.
If that doesn’t work, give reverse phone lookup services like Whitepages or Truecaller a whirl. They might be able to unmask the caller, but beware – scammers are a crafty bunch and often use sneaky technology to disguise their numbers.
Reverse lookups aren’t foolproof, but they can be handy.
If the Caller is Blocking Their Number
*Dial 69
Old but gold. Dialing *69 lets you trace the last incoming call, and it’s still available on most landlines and cell phones. It won’t work every time, but it’s a good first step.
*Dial 57 for Harassment
If a call crosses the line into threatening territory, hang up and immediately dial *57. This will send the information to your phone company, and you can report it to law enforcement if needed.
Contact Your Phone Company
Your phone provider may have extra tools for tracing blocked calls. Sometimes, these services cost a little extra, so it’s worth checking before you commit.
Use a Third-Party AppAn app (short for application) is a program that helps you do specific tasks on your smartphone, tab... More
Apps like TrapCall or TrueCaller can help unmask unknown numbers. TrapCall will even call you back with the unmasked number so you can decide whether to block it or simply revel in knowing who’s been bothering you.
We don’t use or necessarily recommend these services. We’re just throwing them out there to give you options if your inner Sherlock Holmes won’t let you rest til you solve The Case of the Unknown Caller.
Just don’t hold your breath for any of this to work – these mystery callers can be harder to catch than a greased pig at the county fair!
How to Block or Silence Calls from Unknown Numbers
Let’s face it, sometimes the best strategy is just blocking these pests altogether. Here’s how to do it on your smartphone.
(Warning: Tech companies love rearranging things. If the instructions below aren’t exact, the tech fairies have probably moved things around. Try searching for the setting on your device. If that doesn’t work, ask a trusted friend or family member for help, or do a quick web search for instructions using your device model and software version.)
On iPhone: Silence Unknown Callers
This is the digital equivalent of closing your front door in a salesperson’s face, politely. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to Settings > Phone.
- Tap Silence Unknown Callers, then slide that toggle to the right.
Now, every unfamiliar caller goes straight to voicemail. If they’re legit, they can leave a message, and you can deal with it later—preferably after another cup of tea and a good nap.
On Android: Filter Spam Calls
AndroidAndroid, developed by Google, is a versatile and user-friendly operating system that powers billions... More folks, you’ve got your own nifty tools.
- Open your Phone app, then tap the three-dot menu > Settings > Caller ID & SpamSpam refers to unwanted messages, usually emails, that are sent in bulk to many people. These messag... More.
- Toggle on See Caller and Spam ID and Filter Spam Calls.
This should help keep unknown callers from disturbing your peace.
How to Report Scam Calls
If you’ve had the misfortune of falling victim to a scam, don’t be ashamed! It happens to the best of us. But let’s make sure those scoundrels get their comeuppance.
Report to the FTC
The Federal Trade Commission is the go-to agency for reporting scams in the U.S.
- Visit the FTC’s Report Fraud page and fill in the details.
- Or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).
The FTC uses these reports to track down scammers and—hopefully—make their lives as annoying as they made yours.
Don’t Let Unknown Callers Ruin Your Day
Here’s the thing: unknown callers are a lot like raccoons rifling through your trash—they’re nosy, annoying, and best avoided.
By following these tips, you can make sure you’re protected and keep those mystery numbers from intruding on your well-deserved peace and quiet.
Remember, it’s always better to let a voicemail pick up than to get tangled in a scam.
So next time that unknown number pops up, just smile, let it ring, and get back to your crossword puzzle—there are more important things to focus on!
