Do you answer unknown numbers on your phone?

[Stepharoonie!]

I am CONSTANTLY getting phone calls from colleges, radio surveys, etc. I'm to a point that I will not answer a call if it comes up as:

Unknown
Blocked
Unavailable
Restricted
Any number without caller id on it

It's really aggrivating, and what makes it worse is the fact that these people do not leave voice mails!

 

[minnieandme]

nope, I don't answer. I pay $2 a month to not receive any restricted calls. They have to identify themselves and I then determine if I want the call to get through.

A few months ago I did have some collection agency calling looking for whomever. They called everyday for about a month. I finally called them back and told them they had the wrong number and to not call my house anymore.

 

[disneymama73]

Nope, I never answer numbers I don't know.

 

[TroyandDabs]

DH and I put all of our numbers on the Do Not Call lists.

We dont answer the phone half the time when we *KNOW* who's calling

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

We pay to block restricted calls, too, so no.

It's make such a difference! We used to get solicitation calls ALL the time.

 

[AllyandJack]

I'll answer the Private number if I'm waiting for my doctor to call. Other than that....no. It's usually someone calling to badger me for a donation.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I am CONSTANTLY getting phone calls from colleges, radio surveys, etc. I'm to a point that I will not answer a call if it comes up as:

Unknown
Blocked
Unavailable
Restricted
Any number without caller id on it

It's really aggrivating, and what makes it worse is the fact that these people do not leave voice mails!

I do not answer any of those calls. As far as leaving the message - as far as I'm concerned, if they don't leave a message, they didn't call. Even if my best friend calls and doesn't leave a message and I see it on the Caller ID - I still don't return the call.

 

[daisy_77]

Oh, man! We get so many of those calls! It gets annoying, especially when I just put DD down for a nap.
My DH speaks Dutch and he will answer in Dutch and keep talking in Dutch until they hang up...when I am home I just ignore it and don't answer.

 

[Papa Deuce]

nope. never.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Nope I do not answer those type of calls. Especially since my number is unlisted and non-published and on all the do not call lists.

I also don't use my answering machine. Anyone that needs me knows my cell phone number and can reach me at anytime they want.

 

[beck0321]

Think twice before not answering a number you don't know. An unrecognizable number called my husband's phone the other day. It turned out to be the police from my home town calling to tell us my sister had been in an auto accident (they couldn't get in touch with my parents). (She's fine by the way) ::cop:

 

[golfgal]

If Dh calls home from the office his number comes up as unavailable, don't know why. We are on the Do Not Call list and don't get solicitation calls as a result, all for free. For those of you paying for that service, you don't have to. Go to the National Do Not Call website and register your phone number. It takes a few weeks to get off the lists but then after that, you are home free. You do have to register every 5 (I think) years.

 

[Beth76]

Think twice before not answering a number you don't know. An unrecognizable number called my husband's phone the other day. It turned out to be the police from my home town calling to tell us my sister had been in an auto accident (they couldn't get in touch with my parents). (She's fine by the way) ::cop:

That's when the answering machine comes in handy.

OP, no I don't answer those calls. I figure if it's important, they'll leave a message. If they don't, then I don't want to talk to them anyway.

 

[EEYOREMAMA]

Standard policy, don't know the call, don't pick it up. Bad enough at home where I have caller id, but cell phones -- invasion of privacy. It's like having a stranger invade your personal space. It's almost like being stalked. My cell phone is for important people and important calls. I will never answer a call from someone who shouldn't be on the line.

 

[minkydog]

Oh, man! We get so many of those calls! It gets annoying, especially when I just put DD down for a nap.
My DH speaks Dutch and he will answer in Dutch and keep talking in Dutch until they hang up...when I am home I just ignore it and don't answer.

This is a great idea!~ I think I'll start speaking "Dutch" when I get these calls

 

[phorsenuf]

I do, my Dr.s office comes up restricted and my FDIL in Germany comes up unavailable and DS in Afghanistan comes up all kinds of ways. Those are 3 calls I don't usually want to miss!

 

[Stitchfans]

If I don't recognize the number on the caller id I don't answer it.

 

[Sthronds]

I answer them. Just today I had two "Unknown" calls on my cell. The first was my aunt and the second was my Dr. Office. Both important calls. If I answer and I know it's a solicitor I usually just say that I'm not home. I sound like a 12 year old so it works.

 

[dizneenut]

I sometimes answer private or unknown calls. Certain people who call have either so I will sometimes pick up.

I also sound like a 12 yo on the phone, so I get alot of "Are your parents home?" and I just say no and hang up.

 

[VirtuallyMe]

Nope I don't answer any number I don't recognize and will not answer a blocked Id number ever.

But I don't know what I'm talking about anyway- I have a 14yo in my house- I have actually gotten rid of all the extra house phones except the one in her room and a base in my room to hook the answering machine too. So I don't answer the phone at all- doesn't matter who is calling.

It has taken a while but my parents and inlaws have finally learned if they want to reach me try may cell. All my family and friends have their own rings (one for coworkers, one for my parents, one for inlaws, different ones for spous and kids etc) so I know who is calling before I look and then I have one ring for numbers not in my phone book on the phone- so real easy to know then when I don't want to answer lol