What to Do If Someone Calls Me from an Unknown Number

Getting a call from an unknown number is something everyone is used to these days. No matter where you're from, it’s no longer unexpected to receive a buzz from a phone number you don’t recognize. But there’s a problem that not everyone realizes.

The thing is, not all phone numbers are safe to answer. According to TrueCaller, in 2023, more than 56 million Americans lost $25.4 billion in phone scams. So, in some cases, simply picking up the phone can cost you money.

But at the same time, ignoring the call isn’t always the perfect solution. What if it’s a friend who’s recently changed the number or an HR calling regarding the job opportunity?

The question is: How to deal with an unknown number without worrying about your safety and the individual on the other end not being ignored?

How to Handle a Call from an Unknown Number

1. Identify the Caller

First and foremost, before answering the call, it’s important to find out who the number belongs to. For this, you can use a reverse phone number search, which can reveal the caller’s full name, age, profession, location, relatives, and other information you might find useful.

If you don’t recognize the person on the other end or have found something disturbing (such as a criminal record), you may want to research further or ignore the call altogether.

The search on a reverse search platform is anonymous, which means that the caller won’t be notified about this.

2. Let It Go to Voicemail

There’s a chance that the caller will leave a voicemail when you don’t answer their call. If so, they may tell you the reason they’re reaching out to you or provide more information about themselves.

It’s a much safer option than picking up the phone straight away. Plus, it doesn’t take much time.

3. Dial *69 to Find Out the Caller’s ID

One of the ways to discover who stands behind an unknown number is to dial *69. This feature allows users to find out the caller’s ID and is used by many Americans when they need to identify the caller.

When the caller stops calling or after you hang up the phone, dial *69. This will help you figure out who called you from the number that called you last.

However, if the person intentionally prevented this information from being revealed, you may not get anything. It also concerns spam bots and spoofed numbers.

4. Don’t Share Personal Information with the Caller

If you don’t want to ignore the call and want to answer it, it’s essential to be careful. It could be someone you don’t know, and in many instances, those people start asking for personal information.

Remember not to divulge anything personal under any circumstances, even if the caller seems legitimate and comes up with plausible reasons. They may say they’re from the bank and ask for your credit card number or pretend to be a government representative and demand your SSN. If you do share any of these and more, you may become a victim of identity theft.

5. Don’t Respond to Any Questions

Sometimes, scammers may ask questions that require answering “Yes” or “No.” These questions can be the following:

• “Can you hear me?”
• “Is this [your name]?”
• “Would you like to answer a few questions to win a prize?” and the like.

When you say “Yes”, your voice is recorded and may later be used to commit different types of fraud, including authorizing charges in your name, scamming other people, or manipulating the recording to make it look like you consented to something you didn’t.

So, if someone on the other end starts asking questions right away, it’s a sign to step back and not answer anything. And better yet, hang up the phone immediately.

6. Report the Number

If a scammer reached out to you, the best solution in this case is to report the number to the Federal Trade Commission or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center to make sure the number is investigated in order to prevent other users from falling for malicious schemes.

But when should you report the number? For example, when someone calls you with suspicious offers, demands personal information, or harasses or threatens you.

Why Answering Unknown Numbers Can Be Dangerous

1. You Could Be Tricked Into Giving Personal Information

When scammers pretend to call on behalf of government agencies, banks, or someone legitimate, most people don’t think twice about revealing their personal info, such as social security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, or even passport details.

The second you do that, you may become a victim of identity theft or have loans taken out in your name.

2. It Can Lead to More Scam Attempts

Once you answer and start interacting with scammers, they may add you to a certain list that other scammers use, which means that there’s a high chance that you’ll begin getting more scam calls.

3. You Might Be Charged Unexpected Fees

Certain calls can result in high fees, even if you hang up quickly. This primarily concerns international numbers, which are quite common these days.

So, when you see a phone number with a suspicious area code you don’t recognize, ignore the call to avoid getting charged.

Summing It Up

According to recent studies, a quarter of Gen Z doesn’t answer phone calls. While they do this primarily because of anxiety, we have to learn from them for safety reasons.

Picking up calls from unknown numbers might be risky in some cases, especially if the number starts with an international area code. That’s why it’s important to know what to do when such a number calls you, and if you’ve already answered.

Identifying the caller, letting them leave a voicemail, and dialing *69 are effective options in this case. If you want to answer the phone, don’t provide any personal information or respond to any questions. Also, make sure to report the number if it seems suspicious.