LPT: Don’t say anything when answering calls from strangers. Saves you from 99% of robo-calls

Submitted by alejo0605 t3_11a4h4h in LifeProTips

Hello everyone. Tip is very simple, yet effective. I’ve placed this in practice for many years, ever since a sudden spike in robo-calls. Most of these calls are scams, although this tip may fool important messages from your bank or repeat donation calls as well. I’ve noticed, based on anecdotal evidence alone, that if I don’t even say hello, or anything at all, the robot realizes they reached a dead line, and disconnects. Many times, this robo-caller never calls back. I’ve only received about 10-20 robo-calls in the last 5 years, and those were early on. Recently, got a few, applied the same tactic, and they went away. Little tip for anyone with pesky robot callers!

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predictingzepast t1_j9pt5ji wrote

Have you compared those results to just not answering?

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LegoRobinHood t1_j9pva9w wrote

I do this, and yeah, it tails off in a matter of weeks or days, where ignoring them just has them trying again later.

I did this on my personal phone and it seemed to work, so when my colleague and I got new work phones, I tried it again. My spam calls dropped off almost immediately, while she said she kept getting spam for months at last I heard before leaving the company.

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Shadowkiller00 t1_j9pvlyq wrote

Yes. Not answering doesn't work because it goes to voice-mail. Some will leave messages that you then need to delete which usually takes more time than just answering and hitting mute. But all will continue to flag it as an active line and will continue calling and may also sell your number to others increasing the number of calls you get.

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HarryHacker42 t1_j9q9gwq wrote

If it is a human you question, like "I'm calling from Microsoft to help you fix a virus on your computer", or "Hilton hotels wants to reward you for being a great member" or "Your VISA card is due for a rate reduction", ask them:

"IS IT OK IF I RECORD THIS?"

Most hang up instantly. One said "sure" and hung up. Nobody has stayed on.

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Exodor t1_j9puddv wrote

> when answering calls from strangers.

When what, now?

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jag75 t1_j9u0arx wrote

So, this is actually kind of cool - Your smart phone has a "phone" function where you can dial a "phone number" which, if you're in the US, is 10 digits long, and it will send a signal over your mobile network and 'ring' the other phone of the person you're intending to dial, and, if they answer, you can speak with them directly and in real-time. And if they don't answer your call, it will go to an automated message where you can leave them a "voice message" (kind of like sending a voice text) where they can listen to it later if they feel like it.

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Exodor t1_j9uiru2 wrote

What a time to be alive.

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enV2022 t1_j9xa6fv wrote

This is like that guy in every Pokémon game in the first town.

“Technology is amazing! Did you you know you can talk to someone on the other side of the country within seconds?”

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LegoRobinHood t1_j9puuda wrote

I do this too! Answer, clear my throat, then mute and listen. A human can tell I answered, but most robocalls miss it, or if they do hear it, I've already muted the line.

My spam calls tailed off way faster than when I used to ignore it completely, because at no answer they still keep trying. Playing dead seems to get you off the list way faster

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alejo0605 OP t1_j9qarho wrote

Basically same. Just ignoring them isn’t enough sometimes!

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Environmental-Sock52 t1_j9pwc74 wrote

I haven't answered a phone call in years.

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theveryrealreal t1_j9r97u1 wrote

Well let me use this platform then to tell you about some incredible options for extended warranties!

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IGottaHandItToMe t1_j9pufp9 wrote

I also answer with dead silence, just so the caller can't leave a voicemail which then has to be cleared

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Peterthinking t1_j9q2vf2 wrote

Heck. I don't even speak when a human calls me.

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mrb1 t1_j9qs5gd wrote

This works because robo calls or other forms of telemarketing use something called predictive dialing. Phone numbers are called by the system until they get a live person and then the call is handed off to an available agent. If you say nothing the system doesn't hand off the call - do this enough and your number may be deleted from their lists.

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SneakyGunz t1_j9qbgmz wrote

I just don't answer. Period. I've noticed when I answer(at all) they proceed to call for DAYS straight.

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ctizohn t1_j9rp4sc wrote

I just pretend they called a “happy ending” massage parlor and then they stopped calling me…miss messing with them ;(

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spartanb301 t1_j9t8pgh wrote

Is that Mike?

Who's asking?

Calling you about unpaid electricity bills.

From my home in Colorado?

Yes.

Lol, I live in cali.

Etc

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keepthetips t1_j9ppgu4 wrote

Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!

Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment.

If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.

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Clarkeprops t1_j9srd93 wrote

Love this tip. I’ve suspected the same thing but you confirmed it.

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xDaBaDee t1_j9t3j23 wrote

I usually answer as a business 'oak street car salvage! Jonathan speaking! How may I direct your call!'

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justlookingokaywyou t1_j9thxb2 wrote

I go with "Rochester Police Department, Detective Anderson speaking." (since I have a 507 area code). They just hang up.

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georgebrett20212 t1_j9t95xm wrote

Staying on with silence has actually the opposite effect. At the end of the shift, managers and owners see the length of the call time and will assume the caller was a few steps away from closing the deal, so you’re a mark and a good number and will get on the lists to sell. Hang up immediately. You’re just playing games with yourself if you try and fix that system.

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markroth69 t1_j9toxs6 wrote

I just don't answer calls from strangers.

Or people I know.

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skunksmasher t1_j9qvuqv wrote

"HEEYWWOOO, I am lonely, please talk to me. How about this weather? What are you wearing? That's nice, Let's now take our pants off................"

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