The basics of answering a call

When your phone rings, pick it up within the first few rings if you can — most callers will hang up after four or five. Say "Hello" or give your name: "Hi, this is Sarah" works well. Speak clearly and at a normal volume. If you cannot hear the person calling, say so right away: "I'm having trouble hearing you — can you speak up?" rather than pretending you understood.

If you do not recognize the number, it is fine to ask who is calling before you give out information. A legitimate caller will tell you their name and why they are calling. If someone refuses to say who they are or why they called, you can end the call. You are not obligated to stay on the line with anyone.

Keep a notepad near your phone. When someone leaves a message or gives you information, write down their name, the reason for the call, and any number they ask you to call back. This stops you from relying on memory and gives you a record if something goes wrong later.

Key Takeaways

  • Answer within the first few rings, say hello or your name, and speak clearly so the caller can hear you.
  • Ask who is calling and why before you give out personal information like your address, Social Security number, or bank details.
  • Write down the caller's name, the reason for the call, and any callback number they provide.
  • Hang up on anyone who refuses to identify themselves or who pressures you to act immediately.
  • If you are unsure whether a call is real, hang up and call the organization back using a number you find yourself — never use a number the caller gave you.

How to handle calls from people you do not know

When an unknown number calls, start by asking "Who is calling?" and "What is this regarding?" A real bank, utility company, or government agency will answer both questions without hesitation. They will tell you their name, the organization they work for, and why they are calling.

Do not give out your Social Security number, bank account number, credit card number, or passwords over the phone — not even if the caller says they are from your bank or the IRS. Real organizations will not ask for these details by phone. If someone claims to be from your bank and needs to verify your account, hang up, find the number on your bank statement or card, and call them back yourself. That way you know you are talking to the real organization.

Scammers often create urgency: "Your account will be closed today" or "You have to pay now or we will take legal action." Real organizations give you time to respond. If a caller pressures you to act immediately, that is a red flag. Hang up and call the organization back using a number you find yourself.

What to do if you miss a call

If you miss a call, check your voicemail. Most phones show a notification when someone leaves a message. Listen to the full message before you call back — this gives you time to write down the caller's name and number and decide whether you recognize them.

If the message is from someone you do not know, you can search their phone number online to see if other people have reported it as spam or a scam. Websites like TrueCaller, RoboKiller, or your phone's built-in spam detection can tell you whether a number is flagged as suspicious. If you find reports of scam calls from that number, delete the message and do not call back.

If the message sounds urgent but you are not sure whether it is real, take time to verify. Call the organization back using a number you find yourself — on their official website, on a bill you received, or in the phone book. Do not use any number the caller left in the message.

How to block unwanted calls

Most phones have a built-in way to block numbers. On an iPhone, open the Phone app, find the number in your recent calls or voicemail, swipe left (or press and hold), and tap "Block this Caller." On an Android phone, open the Phone app, find the number, press and hold it, and tap "Block number."

You can also use a call-blocking app. Apps like RoboKiller, Nomorobo, and TrueCaller filter out known spam and scam calls before they reach you. Some of these apps are free; others charge a monthly fee. Your phone carrier may also offer call-blocking tools — ask them what is available on your plan.

If you keep getting calls from the same number after you block it, that is a sign of a scam. Scammers often use different numbers that look similar to real ones. Do not answer calls from numbers you do not recognize, and do not call back any number that left a suspicious message.

Answering calls on different devices

If you use a landline, the process is the same: pick up the handset, say hello or your name, and listen. Landlines are generally safer than cell phones because scammers have a harder time spoofing them, but you should still ask who is calling before you give out information.

If you use a video call app like Zoom, FaceTime, or Google Meet, you can see who is calling before you answer — their name or number appears on your screen. Answer only calls from people you know. If a stranger tries to call you on these apps, you can decline or block them.

If you use a smart speaker like an Amazon Echo or Google Home, you can answer calls through the speaker. The device will announce who is calling. You can answer by saying "Alexa, answer the call" or "Hey Google, answer." The same safety rules apply: ask who is calling and do not give out personal information.

What to do if you accidentally give out information

If you realize after a call that you gave out personal information to someone you did not verify, act quickly. If you gave out your Social Security number or bank account number, call your bank and your Social Security Administration office to report it. They can put a fraud alert on your account and watch for suspicious activity.

If you gave out your credit card number, call your credit card company right away and ask them to cancel the card and issue a new one. If you gave out your address or phone number, monitor your mail and phone for suspicious activity. You can also place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — by calling any one of them.

Do not panic if this happens. Most organizations have systems in place to catch fraud quickly. The faster you report it, the better protected you are.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I answer calls from numbers I do not recognize?

You do not have to. If you do answer, ask who is calling and why before you give out any information. If the caller refuses to identify themselves or sounds suspicious, hang up. You can always call the organization back later using a number you find yourself.

What should I do if someone calls claiming to be from the IRS or Social Security?

Hang up immediately. The IRS and Social Security Administration do not call people out of the blue to demand payment or personal information. They send letters first. If you think you owe taxes or have a Social Security issue, call the IRS or SSA yourself using the number on their official website or on a letter you received.

Can I trace a call to find out who called me?

Your phone shows the number that called you, and you can search that number online to see if it is flagged as spam. Some apps like TrueCaller can identify unknown callers. However, scammers often use fake numbers, so the number you see may not be real. If you are unsure, hang up and call the organization back yourself.

Is it safe to answer calls from my bank or insurance company?

It depends. If you recognize the number from your statement or card, it is probably safe. If you do not recognize the number, ask the caller to verify their identity by giving you their name and department. Then hang up and call your bank or insurance company back using the number on your statement. This protects you from scammers who pretend to be from these organizations.

What is the best way to answer the phone at work?

Answer within three rings, say your name and your department or company name: "Hi, this is Sarah from accounting." Speak clearly and ask how you can help. If you need to transfer the call, tell the caller who you are transferring them to and why. If you cannot help, offer to take a message or transfer them to someone who can.