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

Ummm, doesn't everyone already know to not (1) pick up an unknown caller and (2) supply your name to a stranger who asks?
 

KSav said:
Ummm, doesn't everyone already know to not (1) pick up an unknown caller and (2) supply your name to a stranger who asks?
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No, not everyone realizes that. Even those who do, can still chose to answer the phone and say whatever they like.

I don't take calls from unknown callers because I don't want to. It has nothing to do with fear. I control my phone and my time, mostly by letting people text or leave a messages, even if they are in my contacts.

That does not mean I think others should follow my example. Frankly, I don't care how others use their phones.

There are times, of course, when people can get scammed via phone calls. Some of the scammed are older folks. I think it is a good thing when people are concerned about protecting others from scams by posting about them here, either to warn others of behavior risks that can put them in line to be a victim, or of ongoing scams. Not only good, but kind.
 

WheatenLover said:
No, not everyone realizes that. Even those who do, can still chose to answer the phone and say whatever they like.

I don't take calls from unknown callers because I don't want to. It has nothing to do with fear. I control my phone and my time, mostly by letting people text or leave a messages, even if they are in my contacts.

That does not mean I think others should follow my example. Frankly, I don't care how others use their phones.

There are times, of course, when people can get scammed via phone calls. Some of the scammed are older folks. I think it is a good thing when people are concerned about protecting others from scams by posting about them here, either to warn others of behavior risks that can put them in line to be a victim, or of ongoing scams. Not only good, but kind.
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You are correct. I should have struck Item 1 from my post. Also, I did not mean to imply that someone should not answer a particular call out of fear. I decline all unknown-number calls not out of fear but because they're usually spam, and I can't be bothered. As others have said, if it's important they'll leave a message.
 
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KSav said:
Ummm, doesn't everyone already know to not (1) pick up an unknown caller and (2) supply your name to a stranger who asks?
Click to expand...


I do answer all calls - I am intelligent enough to differentiate between a scam and a real caller.

And my first name is a very common one - if I give it to anyone it wouldn't get them far.
 
There is this guy that used to call, every year, maybe multiple times a year. He would ask, is Charles there? Then after I said some version of no, he would continue his script. Maybe you can help me, and say he represented a charity for the families of police officers killed in the line of duty.

So he spends every day of his life like that.

Is Charles there?

Could easily be a fake charity.
 
I keep getting texts addressed to "Deborah," supposedly from a political group, usually asking for money. I often wonder how many Deborahs there are. I tried answering that they had the wrong number, probably shouldn't have, now I just delete the text as soon as I see it.

Once, when there was a human (or human-sounding) voice on the phone, and they asked if I am me, they used the right name, I answered, "Are you a human being, or A-I?" They (it) hung up immediately.
 
A couple of years ago I got a call saying they were my bank and started asking questions that needed a yes or a no. Instinct kicked it and I hung up. It didnā€™t seem like my bank would call me asking these questions.
 
LoveTulips said:
. But when we do get a phone call that we don't recognize, if they say, " Is this so and so?", we immediately ask " who is calling please."
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Yes that seems sensible.

I ring from work sometimes and start with is this so and so?
If they answer Yes or Speaking or similar affirmative answer I then go on with This is January from xyz, ringing about abc.
 
In this very political year, lots of phone calls are being made, encouraging people to vote, preferably for whatever party the caller represents. Many of these calls are legitimate. I know this because a political club I belong to is encouraging volunteers to sign up to make phone calls, or address mail, to prospective voters. While this kind of call is usually a nuisance, it is an honest activity of grass roots politics. Sometimes the volunteers can answer questions about voting locations, etc. And due to the lack of interest on the part of young people, reaching them by phone might give them the kind of gentle nudge they need. It's too bad that these scam artists could be putting a stop to some perfectly legitimate aspects of political campaigning.
 
[If answer a call that says unknown caller or spam risk I anwser " winters morgue, .you kill them and will chill them, where can we pick up the body" immediate dissconnect. Problem solved, we all desrve a little giggle.
 

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