Do NOT say "yes" to a phone call that asks for your name

[Don M.]

With the election season nearing, we are getting a number of "spam" phone calls pretending to be "surveys", etc. Invariably, the first thing they ask is "are you 'Your Name'. If you answer "yes", they can record your voice, and use it to initiate any number of financial thefts. I usually don't answer phone numbers I don't recognize, and they seldom leave a voice mail message.
If I try to call these numbers back, they usually result in a recording saying "this number is not in use", etc. If I look up the number on the internet, it nearly always shows "no name associated with this number". If these callers are Spamming an unused phone number, etc., there is a very good chance that the caller is a thief.

 

[Pepper]

If some stranger asks if I'm Pepper, I answer Who Are YOU? then I probably hang up.

 

[carouselsilver]

I don't answer numbers that I don't recognize either. If someone really wants to reach me, they can leave a message. When we first got our current phone number, I had to field up to ten calls a day; it was ridiculous. I do use Nomorobo, which is free for landlines. It has cut down the amount of scam and telemarketer calls drastically, but they still come in. I love the call screening feature on my cell phone. when I use this, they will often just hang up.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I only answer numbers in my contacts. Everyone else can leave a message.

 

[Rakaia]

Who wants to know?

 

[MarkinPhx]

If some stranger asks if I'm Pepper, I answer Who Are YOU? then I probably hang up.

When I first read this my first thought was Roger Daltrey screaming "Who the f*^k are you ?"

 

[Mizmo]

I don't usually answer calls with no name numbers but if I do I let them have their say and when they ask for name etc .,
then I say ......please press 1 to continue.....that gets rid of them fast

 

[Jules]

This has been proven to be a hoax, yet I try to err on the side of safe and don’t do it.

With AI they will be able to create whole conversations from any words we give them.

 

[Myquest55]

I've been known to reply with, "Why?"
but you can also say "It is. To whom am I speaking?"

 

[Michael Z]

Answer all junk calls with "I am not interested" spoken OVER whatever they are saying and then quickly hang up.

 

[WhatInThe]

Unsolicited call, texts, emails should not be answered or entertained.

I've gotten ALOT of scam calls over the last 6 months in particular. At first I answered and told them do not call again and put me a do not call list. Then I got a few where no one picked up. Then I got nervous because I gave them my voice just by saying Hello. Have problem neighbors I thought might be spoofing phone numbers but not so sure anymore.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I've warned my sister about this a couple of years ago, but she has dementia and probably wouldn't remember now. The good thing is that If the caller isn't listed in her contacts, she doesn't answer the phone. My husband used to routinely answer the phone "Yes" when someone called. I had never heard anyone do that before.

 

[Nathan]

NEVER answer the phone! If someone loves you they will text.

 

[hearlady]

Wasn't it @John cycling that answers by saying, "Do you want to talk to John Cycling? "

 

[Pepper]

When I first read this my first thought was Roger Daltrey screaming "Who the f*^k are you ?"

It probably happened

 

[mrstime]

If some stranger asks if I'm Pepper, I answer Who Are YOU? then I probably hang up.

Then there are the callers who demand to know who you are. So I always ask "who are you calling?". Then if they continue the demand I give them a lesson in phone etiquette. They usually hang up then, if they don't I do! Then if they ask for me by name, I ask "who wants to know?" then if you know the person calling you can admit to your name.

 

[Mizmo]

some fun:
:

 

[hollydolly]

NEVER answer the phone! If someone loves you they will text.

unless they're using a landline...

 

[Paladin1950]

If some stranger asks if I'm Pepper, I answer Who Are YOU? then I probably hang up.

 

[LoveTulips]

NEVER answer the phone! If someone loves you they will text.

We don't text hubby and I.

 

[Lawrence00]

I only answer numbers in my contacts. Everyone else can leave a message.

My AT&T phone has this feature. Love it.

 

[Lawrence00]

Years ago, before cell phone blocking tech or when using a landlines, as soon as I recognized a telemarketing call I would set the receiver aside and let them talk to themselves. Sometimes would turn on the radio music for them, cuz, well, I'm a nice fellow.

 

[January]

NEVER answer the phone! If someone loves you they will text.

No I dont follow this advice.

Sometimes people who love me phone me and me them.

I actually answer all calls, easy enough to hang up if it is a scam or charity wanting money.

 

[Rakaia]

Years ago, before cell phone blocking tech or when using a landlines, as soon as I recognized a telemarketing call I would set the receiver aside and let them talk to themselves. Sometimes would turn on the radio music for them, cuz, well, I'm a nice fellow.

That was one of my tricks, tell them that their call was important to me and ask them to hold the line before putting the phone by the radio...
Alternatively I would tell them that needed to speak to the manager and hand the phone over to the kids.

 

[Lawrence00]

That was one of my tricks, tell them that their call was important to me and ask them to hold the line before putting the phone by the radio...
Alternatively I would tell them that needed to speak to the manager and hand the phone over to the kids.

You are so bad