In today’s world of robocalls and spam, getting a missed call from an unknown number can be annoying at best and dangerous at worst. Your first instinct may be to ignore or block the number, but there are times when returning an unknown call is warranted. This article will examine the pros and cons of returning missed calls from numbers you don’t recognize to help you make an informed decision.
Potential Reasons for the Missed Call
Before deciding what to do, think about why an unknown caller may be trying to reach you. Here are some common reasons you may get a call from a number not in your contacts:
It’s a legitimate personal or business call
– A friend got a new phone.
– Someone is returning your call after you contacted them from a number they don’t have stored.
– A business is following up on an inquiry you made.
– It’s a doctor’s office confirming an appointment.
– Someone is calling about an item you have listed for sale.
While robocalls are rampant, there are still plenty of valid reasons someone may be trying to reach you from an unknown number. If you’ve given out your number recently or are expecting important calls, you’ll want to answer or return unknown calls just in case.
Scam or sales call
Unfortunately, many unknown calls come from scammers or aggressive salespeople. Some signs of this include:
– Answering and hearing a recorded sales pitch.
– Getting repeated calls from the same number.
– Calls coming consistently at odd hours.
Use caution returning calls that seem suspicious like these, as answering can lead to more unwanted calls.
Wrong number
Sometimes people simply dial wrong. If you answer and they apologize for calling the wrong person, you can leave it at that.
Risks of Returning the Call
While there may be valid reasons for an unknown caller, there are also risks to consider before calling back:
Robocalls and phone scams
Robocalls sometimes use real numbers to trick you into answering and falling for phone scams. Examples include:
– IRS scams demanding immediate payment.
– Tech support scams offering to fix nonexistent computer issues.
– Vacation and prize scams that first claim you’ve won something.
Returning these calls can expose you to frauds and identity theft risks.
Phone number spoofing
Scammers use phone spoofing services to deliberately falsify the number that shows up on your caller ID. It may look like a local number when it’s really coming from overseas. If you call back, you risk exorbitant international fees.
Billing scams
Some scams aim to trick you into calling or texting them back, at which point they can charge expensive international or satellite fees to your phone bill. Only return missed call numbers you’re certain are domestic.
Security threats
In rare cases, criminals use phone calls to try and gain remote access to devices for nefarious purposes. For example, calls could come with demands to pay non-existent bills, claims your iCloud was compromised, or requests to download security apps, all aimed at hacking in. Avoid calling these numbers back.
Nuisance calls
While usually harmless, calling back an unknown number could connect you to a payday loan spam center or other nuisance business. This may invite more calls in the future.
Tips on Returning Unknown Calls Safely
If you decide to return a call of uncertain origin, here are some tips to avoid problems:
Search the phone number online
Lookup the number on sites like WhoCalled.us or 800Notes.com. People often post about calls they’ve received, warning of scams and other useful context. This can reveal if others reported the number as malicious.
Call from a different phone
Use a secondary phone, like a home landline, to return the call. This keeps your primary number private and limits any potential risk. A prepaid burner phone also works.
Try caller ID apps
Apps like Truecaller show user-submitted feedback on numbers and names associated with them. This helps identify spammers. Enable their call blocking and spam warning features as well.
Don’t answer personal questions
Never give out private info like account numbers, passwords, or Social Security numbers when returning unknown calls. Hang up if the caller asks for anything compromising.
Listen to voicemails carefully
If the caller left a message, analyze it closely for any red flags. A legitimate business will identify themselves clearly while scammers try to create false urgency and pressure.
Ask for a reference number
When speaking with an unknown caller, request a reference or case number to validate why they contacted you. Real businesses will readily provide this while scammers will hesitate or make excuses why they can’t.
When You Should Not Return the Call
Here are scenarios where it’s best to ignore the missed call and not call back:
The number has multiple online complaints
If you look up the phone number and find several reports labeling it as a scam, spam risk, or other threats, don’t call back. It’s not worth engaging.
The voicemail is extremely suspicious
Listen closely to any voicemail left. Does it sound overly ominous, threatening, or demand immediate payment for something dubious? This is likely a scammer using intimidation tactics. Avoid calling back.
You don’t recognize the number or person
If you have no idea who could be calling you from a random number, it may not be worthwhile returning the call. Exceptions could be carefully returning a voicemail for a doctor’s appointment confirmation or delivery notification.
The caller is aggressively seeking money
High pressure demands for payment via difficult-to-trace methods like prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or gift cards are always a giveaway of a scam. Never call these numbers back.
The number originates internationally
Overseas numbers with strange prefixes you don’t recognize should not be called back. In fact, blocking international calls via your phone provider is a good way to reduce unwanted calls.
Alternatives to Calling Back
If you don’t want to call back a questionable number, here are some alternatives:
Text first
Send a text to the number saying something like “You called me – who is this?” This is less risky than a voice call. Analyze the reply to see if you want to engage further.
Call your voicemail
If the caller left a voicemail, call in to your voicemail system to retrieve and listen to the message. In many cases, this gives enough information without having to return the call.
Let it go to voicemail again
Simply wait for them to call a second time and leave another voicemail with hopefully more details. But beware repeated hang-up calls, as this is a common spammer tactic.
Block the number
If it seems suspicious, go ahead and block the number preemptively via your smartphone, mobile carrier, or a call blocking service. This prevents them from contacting you again.
Report spam callers
Use the Federal Trade Commission’s online complaint form to report illegal robocallers and scammers. This helps authorities track fraud trends.
Add their number to your contacts
Add the unknown number to your phone as a contact and label it clearly as “Scam Risk – Do Not Answer”. This identifies it as bad the next time they call.
Pros of Calling Back Unknown Numbers
Despite the risks, there are times when returning missed calls from unknown numbers makes sense:
You’re expecting important calls
If you gave out your number to healthcare providers or are waiting to hear back about a job or real estate offer, it’s worth answering unknown calls. Legitimate reasons for calls are still common.
Peace of mind
You may feel better knowing exactly who called and why, rather than always wondering who was trying to reach you. Returning the call can provide closure.
Caller may leave you alone
If it’s a sales call you answer, asking to be removed from their list may stop repeat calls. This gets them to leave you alone without needing to block the number.
Meet new contacts
On rare occasions, an unknown call may lead to networking with new professional contacts or services you end up finding useful.
Safety check on loved ones
For older family members who may have forgotten to tell you about their new phone, returning an unknown call can provide reassurance it’s just them on a new line.
Cons of Calling Back
Here are the downsides to calling back an unrecognized number:
Wasting your time
It may just be a wrong number, sales call, or spam risk. Taking time to engage with these callers deducts from your day.
Risk of financial harm
Scammers are cunning and can sound legitimate at first, eventually coaxing account numbers or money from unsuspecting people. Avoid engaging with them.
Identity theft dangers
Crooks may pretend to need private info to “look up your account”, tricking you into handing over data for identity theft. Never give out personal information.
More calls in the future
Answering some unknown calls confirms to spammers and telemarketers your number is active. This can invite more unwanted calls down the road.
Hacking or device compromise
In rare cases, answering or calling back gives scammers an open door to try and access your smartphone, computer, or other connected devices.
Key Factors to Consider
Weigh the following factors when deciding if you should return a call from an unknown number:
Type of voicemail left, if any
Does the voicemail sound normal and professional? Or is it vague, threatening, or urgent? Shady voicemails are best avoided.
Any cues on caller ID
Look for identifying information like a business or doctor’s office name that matches an expected caller. Generic caller IDs like “Wireless Caller” are more suspicious.
Your recent activities
Have you applied for jobs, given out business cards, scheduled medical visits, or engaged in other actions that could warrant legitimate unknown calls?
Online research on the phone number
Search the web to see if others have reported the number as spam or flagged warnings about it. Multiple scam reports are a red flag.
Frequency and timing of calls
One daytime call may be fine, but repeat late night calls or frequent robocalls likely signify a risky number.
Best Practices
Follow these tips to safely navigate unknown calls:
Let unknown calls go to voicemail
Don’t answer calls from strange numbers. Let them leave a message so you can gather intel before calling back or answering if they call again.
Disable text message previews
Android and iPhone settings allow you to disable text message previews on the lock screen. This hides sensitive info scammers could see if they call you.
Research numbers that call repeatedly
If the same unknown number calls you more than once, look it up online or ask contacts if they know who it could be. Patterns of repeat calls warrant investigation before answering.
Notify contacts of new numbers
When you change phone numbers, proactively notify people in your contacts list to avoid confusing unknown number situations.
Set phone to “Do Not Disturb”
iPhone and Android phones allow you to enable Do Not Disturb modes with whitelisted numbers. This routes all unknown callers to voicemail automatically.
Warnings Signs of a Risky Caller
Here are some clear warning signs that a call from an unknown number is high risk:
– Threats of legal action for non-payment of taxes, loans, or other services you don’t recognize
– Requests for immediate payment via difficult to trace methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency
– Claims of compromises to your online accounts or social security number
– Offers of free vacations, prizes, or other giveaways that sound too good to be true
– Aggressive insistence on you answering questions or providing personal information
– Calls spoofing familiar local numbers to trick you into answering
– Repeated hang up calls or voicemails with just silence
Use extreme caution with any unknown callers demonstrating these behaviors.
When to Block Calls
Here are signs a number should be blocked outright instead of called back:
– Excessive robocalls day and night from the same number
– Multiple angry online reviews reporting scams or harassment from the number
– Strange out of service recordings or beeping sounds on answering
– Foreign language callers demanding money or account information
– Voicemails threatening arrest or violence for not calling back
– You already told the caller to stop contacting you but they continue anyway
Don’t engage with these types of risky numbers – go straight to blocking.
Conclusion
Returning missed calls from unknown numbers requires balancing the risk and reward. While legitimate reasons exist for unknown callers, there are also many fraudulent risks to weigh before calling back. Do your research, listen carefully to voicemails, and start by texting unknown numbers if you must reply. If any red flags appear, steer clear of engaging on phone calls and block if needed. Stay vigilant, as the spam call landscape continues to pose threats even as regulators work to stop illegal practices. With caution and common sense, you can navigate unknown calls safely.