<![CDATA[Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers.]]>Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers.

"Good afternoon, thanks for calling!"

"Hello."

"Hi, who's calling please?"

"This is Experian Security Services calling to discuss an urgent issue with your account."

"Who are you trying to reach?"

"I am looking to talk to the owner of this phone number."

"I'm sorry, I'll need a name to help you."

30 seconds of silence.

Call hangs up.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/topic/2d7a854c-84a3-4dac-a314-b1b86ed4ed19/answering-unknown-number-calls-on-my-cell-phone-like-a-receptionist-really-confuses-scammers.RSS for NodeTue, 14 Apr 2026 21:08:03 GMTWed, 08 Apr 2026 17:48:18 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:52:43 GMT]]>@vees Clever!

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://stefanbohacek.online/users/stefan/statuses/116371066949258475https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://stefanbohacek.online/users/stefan/statuses/116371066949258475Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:52:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:50:05 GMT]]>@vees Last year I fiddled around with SIP as I wanted to look up calling numbers from my customer database. Just for fun I then wrote a script which looked up the calling number from a phone scam registry. If it was found, the script waited for the initial silence from the caller and then played a recording of me asking if they could hold on for a second as I had to get the front door urgently. The script then measured the time until the connection was closed.

Record so far is 32 minutes.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://kind.social/ap/users/115994572387312149/statuses/116371056576362485https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://kind.social/ap/users/115994572387312149/statuses/116371056576362485Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:50:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:47:30 GMT]]>@vees heh eh. I didn't catch that. Could you repeat that? On a scale of one to five, with one being most satisfied, and five being most satisfied, how would you rate this call?

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://spacey.space/users/isaackuo/statuses/116371046407816790https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://spacey.space/users/isaackuo/statuses/116371046407816790Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:47:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:46:07 GMT]]>@khleedril @kerravonsen @vees 'GRosvenor 4761.' You could add the date: '4th March 1969.'

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.social/users/jackyan/statuses/116371040998085963https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.social/users/jackyan/statuses/116371040998085963Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:46:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:43:25 GMT]]>@vees I will try this

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.social/ap/users/116296157176496689/statuses/116371030390328504https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.social/ap/users/116296157176496689/statuses/116371030390328504Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:43:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:43:13 GMT]]>@vees

Excellent!

The last time I had a 'your computer has a virus' call, it was quite easy to drop into 'Busy ops department':

scam: 'yr computer, etc'

JHR, tired: 'right. which one?'

S: 'its running windows'

JHR: 'do you have a service tag?'

S: ' ... '

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://chaos.social/users/JuliaRez/statuses/116371029602008472https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://chaos.social/users/JuliaRez/statuses/116371029602008472Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:43:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:39:23 GMT]]>@vees Iโ€™m partial to โ€œFinancial crimes reporting, this is an unsecured line.โ€

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://infosec.exchange/users/bob_zim/statuses/116371014495757184https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://infosec.exchange/users/bob_zim/statuses/116371014495757184Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:39:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:29:30 GMT]]>@vees "FBI Headquarters, how may I direct your call?"

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://theforkiverse.com/ap/users/115933222263867120/statuses/116370975633585269https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://theforkiverse.com/ap/users/115933222263867120/statuses/116370975633585269Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:29:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:26:37 GMT]]>@vees

I answer the phone with "Alligator Control, how may I help you?"[1] which usually stops people who don't know me in their tracks. 3:O)>

[1] A holdover from when I did Tech Support and knew that if it was $Dayjob I was about to be up to my ass in alligators very shortly. This response is now set in stone (unless I recognise the caller-ID).

As someone noted on ASR, back in the day: "What we really need is Caller IQ.".

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://wandering.shop/users/Cadbury_Moose/statuses/116370964311098926https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://wandering.shop/users/Cadbury_Moose/statuses/116370964311098926Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:26:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:25:24 GMT]]>@vees Nowadays, we can pretend to be an AI call center chatbot.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://spacey.space/users/isaackuo/statuses/116370959540954664https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://spacey.space/users/isaackuo/statuses/116370959540954664Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:25:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:25:12 GMT]]>@vees My daughter tries to sell them double glazing.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.green/users/green_bens/statuses/116370958722583694https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.green/users/green_bens/statuses/116370958722583694Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:25:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:13:33 GMT]]>@vees This is brilliant AND fun! I generally don't answer the unknown callers, but if I do accidentally, I will try this approach!

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://weatherishappening.network/users/ColesStreetPothole/statuses/116370912926970867https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://weatherishappening.network/users/ColesStreetPothole/statuses/116370912926970867Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:13:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:11:57 GMT]]>@kerravonsen @vees Just like the olden days.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://cyberplace.social/users/khleedril/statuses/116370906622991962https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://cyberplace.social/users/khleedril/statuses/116370906622991962Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:11:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:10:50 GMT]]>@raymierussell @vees ``Fook orf.''

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://cyberplace.social/users/khleedril/statuses/116370902269053373https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://cyberplace.social/users/khleedril/statuses/116370902269053373Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:10:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:10:32 GMT]]>@vees I wish I got that much entertainment out of them. Here's how mine go.

Me: "Who is this"

30 sec silence
Click

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://masto.hackers.town/users/murph/statuses/116370901086895274https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://masto.hackers.town/users/murph/statuses/116370901086895274Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:10:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:08:47 GMT]]>@raymierussell Lol
No, indeed, we don't say that ๐Ÿ˜‚

@vees

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://piaille.fr/users/RachelC_Y/statuses/116370894177839671https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://piaille.fr/users/RachelC_Y/statuses/116370894177839671Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:08:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:06:12 GMT]]>@RachelC_Y @vees

Mercy Buckets as the French don't say. ๐Ÿ˜‰

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.scot/users/raymierussell/statuses/116370884015806049https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.scot/users/raymierussell/statuses/116370884015806049Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:06:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:05:26 GMT]]>@raymierussell Funny, I do the same with english @vees

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://piaille.fr/users/RachelC_Y/statuses/116370881011911902https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://piaille.fr/users/RachelC_Y/statuses/116370881011911902Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:05:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:56:27 GMT]]>@vees

I sometimes answer pretending to speak french and saying a couple of phrases I learned at school 40 years ago.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.scot/users/raymierussell/statuses/116370845696391701https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.scot/users/raymierussell/statuses/116370845696391701Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:56:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:52:14 GMT]]>@vees If you say "This call is being monitored and recorded for quality assurance" you can cut your call times down to 10 seconds.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.social/users/rasterweb/statuses/116370829107887665https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.social/users/rasterweb/statuses/116370829107887665Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:52:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:45:16 GMT]]>@vees
This is good. I just never answer my phone unless it's someone I know. If it's important, they will leave a message. Unless I've turned messages off. ๐Ÿ˜ฒ

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mstdn.social/users/MostlyTato/statuses/116370801721328097https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mstdn.social/users/MostlyTato/statuses/116370801721328097Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:45:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:45:04 GMT]]>@vees Genius! I sometimes pretend to be a toddler asking the caller for snacks.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://jawns.club/users/oreoteeth/statuses/116370800916869607https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://jawns.club/users/oreoteeth/statuses/116370800916869607Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:45:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:42:21 GMT]]>@vees I never answer my phone with "Hello", but with reciting my phone number. How they respond to that is a good indication of whether they are a legitimate caller or not; the ones following a script tend to get confused. I then repeat my phone number. The more confused they get, the more likely I am to just keep repeating it.

With legitimate callers, reciting my phone number is merely a confirmation that they called the correct phone number (and helps me memorise it, too).

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.au/users/kerravonsen/statuses/116370790229638795https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://mastodon.au/users/kerravonsen/statuses/116370790229638795Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:42:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers. on Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:30:31 GMT]]>@vees This is brilliant.

]]>https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://jawns.club/users/davekonopka/statuses/116370743746301544https://forum.fedi.dk/post/https://jawns.club/users/davekonopka/statuses/116370743746301544Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:30:31 GMT