Do you answer your phone for “unknown callers”?

Trailrun23 · ‎05-31-2022

I usually don't answer my phone unless I know who is calling via caller ID. Today I got a call from NYC, NY. I didn't answer. Then they left a voicemail, so I listened. It was a robotic call saying since I was a no-show for my appt yesterday, I would be charged a fee and to please call and reschedule. I didn't have an appt yesterday. The appt is next week. Called my dr office and they said I had been rescheduled to yesterday and I should have received notice of that last week from their new automated system. ARGHHH!
Not happy with the direction healthcare is going right now.

occasionalrain · ‎03-10-2010

I don't answer unknown calls, but if they leave a voice mail and it's a legitimate call, I call them back.

If I call a doctor/dentist office, I expect a person to answer.

cjm61 · ‎09-07-2014

Nope, I only answer the phone for my kids and most family members. Otherwise, I let it ring and will listen to the message. I block all calls that come in if they do not leave a message.

I'll text anybody any time, but I hate talking on the phone. My entire family knows this. So, on the rare occasion that I phone someone, including my kids, they all answer immediately. They have told me a number of times that when they see my call come in they know it must be important.

KatieB · ‎03-10-2010

No

haddon9 · ‎03-09-2010

Wow! I would be so very annoyed with them! I would let them know that I would NOT be paying any fee! This is so wrong!!....how could they just "reschedule" you without your permission on the time & day?!!!

I would tell them that you don't answer the phone to scam calls and since the number came up as "unknown" you assumed it was just another scam call.

Snowpuppy · ‎03-09-2010

@haddon9 wrote:
Wow! I would be so very annoyed with them! I would let them know that I would NOT be paying any fee! This is so wrong!!....how could they just "reschedule" you without your permission on the time & day?!!!

Uh, how do they know who you are and how are they able to charge you?

This is the scam call version of click bait. Call us back so we can get your info.

Nope, I don't answer calls from unknown numbers and my vm isn't personalized.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

No. If it's a legitimate call, they will leave a message.

deepwaterdotter · ‎03-09-2010

@occasionalrain wrote:
I don't answer unknown calls, but if they leave a voice mail and it's a legitimate call, I call them back.
If I call a doctor/dentist office, I expect a person to answer.

Same for me.

dooBdoo · ‎06-27-2010

No, I don't answer unless the caller ID is someone/someplace I know. I do report them to Nomorobo (which is a good service to block many unwanted calls), and to my carrier, and with my iPhone I report to the HiYa app. It's unfortunate, but it's a fact that there are a vast number of unscrupulous callers. They usually use an automated system that scrolls through random phone numbers and if someone answers that number is marked as a "good" active one to use for future calls. Also, if we do answer a bad call, some of the more sophisticated scams have been known to use certain words we might say or keypad number entries for elaborate hoaxes. For me, it's just not worth it to take the chance -- those unfamiliar caller ID's can leave a voice mail message if they are genuine. I'm sorry you ran into that problem with your doctor's office, @Trailrun23, and hope they'll resolve it thoughtfully for you.❤️

Few things reveal your intellect and your generosity of spirit—the parallel powers of your heart and mind—better than how you give feedback.~Maria Popova