I’ve heard these wrong number scams are used to probe for an active phone number
Basically they’re fishing for a “sorry I think you have the wrong number” to confirm or deny that there is a human on the other side so they don’t waste resources spamming inactive phone numbers
In a similar vein, there is unsolicited calls from call center that dial your number automatically. If you picked up and say “Hello?” they register the sound and connect you with an agent. So I picked up my phone and stay silent every time I got a call from a unknown number. Quite enough that ends up by being hang up after 5 or 10 seconds. Actual people say “hello?” first when we don’t.
I say hello all the time and I hardly get real scammers on the line anymore. I assume I’ve been blacklisted from call centers for the verbal harassment.
Exactly why you shouldn’t press the hang up button when unknown caller happens. Just mute the call and let it ring out in silence. Don’t press the voicemail button either to send them straight there. It’s like social media, any interaction is a positive for their bot system and the only way to avoid making things worse is to not interact at all.
There’s an even better way to handle spam calls if you have a recent Android phone: use the automated call screening. Every time robocallers hang up immediately before saying a single word because they know if the person flags the call as spam then Google now has a recording to automatically flag future calls even if they spoof new phone numbers.
All of them are to probe for active numbers. Calls and texts. The best thing you can do is ignore them. For calls, don’t pick up, don’t hang up. Even ending the call early let’s them know your line is live.
Just ignore them and their system will mark your line as dead. I get maybe one or two calls a month now.
Sometimes when I have to answer a call from an unknown number, I’ll pick up but won’t say anything. A human will say something when they hear it stop ringing, but most bots listen for voice activity before they start their recording so they’ll just stay silent as long as you do.
It’s too bad. Back in the day, you could let somebody know they had the wrong number, and that could help them out. They could go ask a friend, "Hey, do I have the right number?“ or whatever. Now? Nope… Just perma-ghosted.
That happens mostly with phone calls, doesn’t it? They call you and if you pick up, they know it’s and active number. I’ve picket up a phone call or two that immediately hung up on me and I immediately realised I had to expect a couple scam calls or texts I’m the coming weeks.
I’ve heard these wrong number scams are used to probe for an active phone number
Basically they’re fishing for a “sorry I think you have the wrong number” to confirm or deny that there is a human on the other side so they don’t waste resources spamming inactive phone numbers
Anyways this is still really funny tho
In a similar vein, there is unsolicited calls from call center that dial your number automatically. If you picked up and say “Hello?” they register the sound and connect you with an agent. So I picked up my phone and stay silent every time I got a call from a unknown number. Quite enough that ends up by being hang up after 5 or 10 seconds. Actual people say “hello?” first when we don’t.
I say hello all the time and I hardly get real scammers on the line anymore. I assume I’ve been blacklisted from call centers for the verbal harassment.
Exactly why you shouldn’t press the hang up button when unknown caller happens. Just mute the call and let it ring out in silence. Don’t press the voicemail button either to send them straight there. It’s like social media, any interaction is a positive for their bot system and the only way to avoid making things worse is to not interact at all.
There’s an even better way to handle spam calls if you have a recent Android phone: use the automated call screening. Every time robocallers hang up immediately before saying a single word because they know if the person flags the call as spam then Google now has a recording to automatically flag future calls even if they spoof new phone numbers.
iOS user here: Is Android fingerprinting voice samples for this‽
I’ve turned off my voicemail with my cell carrier, and send all unknown numbers to voice mail.
It’s a peaceful life.
I pick up muted so they have a null like they hit an old fax line
I pick up and blast em with the captain crunch whistle
Now that’s an old reference.
Is it 2600?
Don’t fax machines directly initiate the handshake?
I remember being screamed at by angry modem noises in ancient times when calling a fax number.
I’ve spent the last 10 years honing my ability to screetch like a modem/fax machine. Jokes on them…
you don’t keep a window with this open just in case
That’s my superpower. Everyone goes to voicemail.
All of them are to probe for active numbers. Calls and texts. The best thing you can do is ignore them. For calls, don’t pick up, don’t hang up. Even ending the call early let’s them know your line is live.
Just ignore them and their system will mark your line as dead. I get maybe one or two calls a month now.
Sometimes when I have to answer a call from an unknown number, I’ll pick up but won’t say anything. A human will say something when they hear it stop ringing, but most bots listen for voice activity before they start their recording so they’ll just stay silent as long as you do.
It’s too bad. Back in the day, you could let somebody know they had the wrong number, and that could help them out. They could go ask a friend, "Hey, do I have the right number?“ or whatever. Now? Nope… Just perma-ghosted.
Good to know. I’ll just go back to ignoring them
That happens mostly with phone calls, doesn’t it? They call you and if you pick up, they know it’s and active number. I’ve picket up a phone call or two that immediately hung up on me and I immediately realised I had to expect a couple scam calls or texts I’m the coming weeks.