How to Call Back Anonymous Numbers

Know when to call anonymous numbers back

Listen for the ringing sound once. You should be wary if you hear your phone ring just once. A missed call that only rings once can be a sign of "phishing": someone is trying to get you to call back so they can charge you. If you only hear one ring, don't call that number again. If it's not a scam, then maybe they just got the wrong number.

Telemarketers usually wait at least four rings or at least 15 seconds before hanging up.

Check the area code. If this number is displayed, you can look it up online. Scammers often call from countries with the same international area code (+1), (such as the United States) so the phone number will look like a domestic call. However, if you conduct a search, you can realize that this is a call from abroad based on the area code.

From experience, if you don't recognize the area code, it's best not to call back.

The majority of these calls came from the Dominican Republic (809), Jamaica (876), British Virgin Islands (284) and Grenada (473).

Do not answer calls from 900 numbers, this is a special phone number and charges will be charged to the recipient.

Additionally, there are online services that allow you to look up phone numbers. You can search for the keyword "reverse lookup" or "find out who called me".

Check messages. Some people who try to call you about something important will leave a message or get back to you in another way. If you see a missed call from an unknown or hidden number, it may not be important. So don't call back!

If that person leaves a message or the phone number you just called is 800 (toll-free), you can boldly call back.

Scammers never leave messages because they operate on extremely limited budgets and do not have the ability to call internationally.

Be careful with charges on your phone bill. If you notice strange charges on your phone bill, especially for something vague like "special service" or "unknown service," call your carrier and tell them about it. Unwarranted charges. Usually, they will refund you.

If you call back an unknown number and hear a recorded message on the other end, check your phone bill carefully. If you called and heard an "adult service" recorded voice, you will definitely be charged unwanted fees.

Don't be afraid to ask your carrier to refund your fee. Scam calls are a daily problem for them.

Call a number you know. Sometimes the scam organization will leave a message with a phone number for you to call. If you receive a voice or text message from someone claiming to be your bank, mobile service provider or hospital, call the organization directly using the number you have and do not call back. suspicious number above.

Limited number recognition

Purchase identification services. To identify restricted numbers, you can use a paid service, such as "Call Unblock" or "Trapcall" to display the caller's number. This method only applies to smartphones.

Check out suggested friends. If you use an app (such as Facebook) on your phone, you can identify the caller in your list of suggested friends. The Facebook app collects call information and makes friend suggestions based on who called you. Check out the suggested friends to see if there are any surprising faces.

Find unusual messages. If a restricted number leaves you a voice or text message, look up the words they use online. If this number is not limited, you should do the same. Scammers may leave the same message on multiple phones, and people who have been scammed will often post warnings online.

Block unwanted calls

Block restricted numbers. Contact your carrier and ask them to block restricted numbers from calling you. Each telecommunications company has different methods for blocking restricted numbers from calling users' phones. For example, Verizon in the US will require users to sign up for the Family Base program: once registered, you can use their website to block restricted numbers. AT&T requires users to sign up for a call screening service, so you can specify which numbers are hidden.

If you use an iPhone, you can open "Settings" and set your phone to "Do Not Disturb" mode, at which point anyone outside your contact list will not be able to call. for you. However, this may prevent new friends or colleagues from contacting you.

Contact your carrier by phone or email to discuss options.

Register your phone number with the federal Do Not Call directory, if you are in the US. To end telephone solicitations, call 1-888-382-1222 (voice call) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY accessible call) using the phone you want to post Sign up, or go to www.donotcall.gov and register your phone number here. After 31 days, all commercial solicitation calls will stop. You will continue to receive calls from nonprofits, individuals, and businesses that you have specifically authorized.

Do not give information to anyone who calls and claims to be a representative of the Do Not Call contact list. This is a scam: The US government does not proactively call people and encourage registration, this issue is completely voluntary.

Submit a complaint. In the US, if a telemarketer continues to call or you need to complain about persistent phone harassment, call one of the following numbers: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225 -5322); TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322); ASL (American Sign Language): 1-844-432-2275. You can also visit the Federal Communications Commission website and fill out a complaint.

Using the Call Return feature on landline phones

Call immediately. If your landline phone rings and there's no voicemail, you can use the "Call Return" feature to call the last number. However, this method only applies to the last call you received, so you must call back immediately before another number calls.

Dial code *69. When you dial the code *69, you will hear all the registered information of the caller. You will also have the option to call them back. Press 1 to call after being prompted.

When dialing the code *69, you will usually be charged from 30 to 50 cents (about 7,000 - 11,000 VND) for one use, unless you sign up for the Last Call Return service. through the provider. In this case, the service fee may fluctuate around 2 USD (about 56,000 VND) per month.

Hopefully this code doesn't work. *69 is only applicable to calls from landlines in the area. If this person calls from a mobile phone, long distance or international number, hidden phone number, 800 or 900 number, you will not be able to use the Call Return service.

Dial code *89 to cancel. If you do not proceed, the Call Return service will self-destruct after 30 minutes.

Samuel Daniel

Update 31 October 2023