[CaVillager]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Every time you talk to them, you confirm that you are someone who is willing to engage with them. And every time you do that, your name, phone number, and sometimes even a recording of your voice is sold to thousands of other scammers via lists.

If it makes you feel better to know you are intentionally setting yourself up as a target for more nefarious scams than the ones you engage with, well - I guess whatever floats your boat.

For me, when a call comes in from a phone number I don't recognize, I answer (because sometimes it's someone I'm actually expecting to hear from and just don't know their number) "who dis?" I don't say hello. I don't say yes, I don't engage in conversation.

If I hear a click or a tone (as though a machine is connecting me to a voice on the other end) I disconnect and block the number.

If I hear a foreign accent, I disconnect and block the number. If I hear a machine I block the number.

I've even gotten calls from my own number!