As I write this, we’re in Chico, California, staying at a lovely hotel. We’re here because our three-month-old one-night reservation became an “overbooking error”—but that’s a tale for another day.
Today’s story involves something considerably less glamorous: phone scams. It’s the kind of problem I never expected to encounter in an upscale hotel. But apparently, I was wrong.
It happened in the elevator.
Now, normally, people in elevators observe an unwritten rule: Look at your phone. Watch the floor. Study the numbers above the door as if you’re trying to solve a complicated mathematical problem. Do anything to avoid making eye contact with the other people in the elevator. And, heaven forbid, whatever you do, don’t talk to anyone.
Apparently, the two women complaining about phone calls never read the rulebook. But, I digress.
One of them said she was getting at least 10 calls a day from unknown numbers. The other said she was getting even more. What the heck, we must be in a rule-free zone. I volunteered that I, too, was getting plenty of spam calls.
The woman who seemed to be leading the discussion looked at me and said:
“See! And he’s not even a realtor!”
Well, she had that right.
I’m not a realtor. Never have been. I briefly considered asking how she had determined this, but the elevator doors opened, and it looked like that was my cue to exit. Rats. Just when things were getting good.
So, what’s the point?
The point is that scam and spam calls have become such a routine part of life that we almost expect them. We practically brag about them like our numbers are a badge of honor. Here’s the problem. Because legitimate calls can come from unfamiliar numbers, it’s tempting to answer—especially when you’re waiting for a call from a doctor, business, or someone else you actually need to hear from.
Fortunately, your phone can do a lot of the screening for you.
Call Blockers
iPhone: You can enable Silence Unknown Callers, which sends calls from numbers that aren’t in your contacts or that you haven’t called to voicemail. Newer versions of iOS also offer Call Screening, which asks unknown callers to identify themselves and explain why they’re calling before your phone rings through to you. You can also block individual numbers.
Android: Caller ID and spam protection can identify and filter suspected spam calls. Google’s Call Screen can use Google Assistant to screen unknown callers, and you can block individual numbers from your call history.
Both iPhone and Android also support third-party apps that can provide additional spam-call protection.
Tips to Avoid a Scam
Answer only when you have a reason to think the call is legitimate.
This sounds obvious, but it isn’t always easy. If you’re waiting for an important call, an unfamiliar number can look awfully tempting.
Remember: You don’t have to answer just because your phone rings.
If the call is legitimate and important, they’ll usually leave a message.
If something doesn’t seem right, hang up.
Not long after that elevator conversation, my phone rang with an unfamiliar number while I was talking with one of the hotel staff.
The number wasn’t familiar, but the notification on my phone made it look as though it might be a call concerning a message I’d left with a pharmacy at our next stop.
So I answered. There was silence.
Not the normal “Hello? Can you hear me?” kind of silence. Just…nothing.
I knew almost immediately that I wasn’t talking to a person. It was a robocall waiting for something—or someone—to pick up.
I hung up.
You don’t get extra points for staying on the line to find out what happens next.
Use Do Not Disturb when you really don’t want to be bothered.
Both iPhone and Android phones have settings that allow you to silence calls and notifications when you don’t want interruptions. The exact settings differ between phones, but the idea is the same: you get to decide when your phone gets your attention.
And that’s really the key to dealing with phone scams.
Your phone is there to serve you—not the other way around.
So the next time an unknown number calls, remember: You don’t owe your phone an answer.
And if you happen to be standing in an elevator when someone starts discussing scam calls, by all means, join the conversation.
Just be prepared to explain whether or not you’re a realtor.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this month’s scam tip. Please leave a comment below, and thanks for being here!
See all my Scam Tips here. If you missed last month’s post, you can use this link to view Knock, Knock, It’s a Home Repair Scam: Red Flags Every Homeowner Should Know.
My landline requires people (unless they’re on my approved list) to press one. Robos can’t do that. Unless they’re leaving a long voicemail (recorded, most likely), my phone doesn’t even ring.
For my cell, given how many people use their own phones for business, so the caller ID won’t say “Joe’s Plumbing”, I answer it. I have no problem ending the call when it’s spam or unwanted solicitation.