Best practices for handling unwanted calls & potential phone-based scams

Alexandru_BD

Phone scams have evolved significantly over the years, adapting to new technologies and exploiting human psychology to deceive victims. Scammers use various techniques to trick people into giving away money, personal information, or access to sensitive accounts. With AI and data breaches, scammers can make more convincing, personalized calls. With this in mind, the security researchers have compiled a list of suggested best practices for handling unwanted calls & potential phone-based scams. So here it is:

1. Common sense rules for handling unknown calls

• Do not answer calls from unknown international numbers unless you are expecting such a call. You should already have your international partners saved in your agenda.
• If Android/iOS flags a number as spam, let it ring and do not reject the call manually—rejecting confirms your number is active.
• Hidden (no caller ID) calls should be ignored—legitimate businesses rarely use these.
• Let the caller identify themselves firstand, the reason for their call before confirming any details, even your name.

2. If you answer an unknown call

• Do not confirm personal details (name, title, job, phone number, or email).
• If the caller claims to be from a bank or institution, ask them to send a request via official email or their app.
• Do not engage with automated voices (robocalls)—just hang up.
• If a call drops instantly after one ring, DO NOT call back—this is often a scam to verify active numbers.

3. Risks of simply answering a call

• Passive risks: Scammers can confirm your number is in use and target you again with future calls or messages.
• Active risks: Some scam calls use voice prompts to trick you into saying “Yes” or confirming information, which can be misused for fraudulent purposes. The first words should always be "Who's asking and why?".
• Number spoofing: Attackers may use fake local numbers to appear trustworthy, making filtering more difficult.

4. Filtering & reducing unwanted calls

• Use built-in spam protection on Android or iOS (Google Phone app, Samsung Smart Call, Apple Silence Unknown Callers).
• Consider installing a caller ID app (like CallApp or Truecaller) but be aware that these apps access your contacts.
• Block and report scam numbers when identified.

5. What to do If a caller claims to be a business partner or institution

• Verify the caller: If a number is unfamiliar, check against official websites before engaging.
• Request written confirmation: Legitimate institutions will always follow up via official email or snail mail.
• Be cautious of urgent requests: Scammers often create urgency to pressure victims into making quick decisions.

6. SMS, WhatsApp, and other messaging apps

• DO NOT click links in unexpected messages, even if they appear to be from a known entity.
• If unsure, contact the sender through official channels rather than replying.

I hope this guide helps you if and whenever you get a suspicious call.

Has anyone here received such unexpected calls, or from unknown numbers? If you answered, you can share your experience in the comments below, and help raise awareness of the scam tactics involved.