Unknown caller / Withheld numbers - Do u answer?

Malt_Vinegar · 2 Oct 2006 at 14:59

I never answer a number i dont have in my phone or if the number is withheld. My workmates think im nuts, but i dont get wh... Why would i want to answer the phone to someone i dont know, or someone who feels they need to hide their number??

This applies to my home number and my mobile, do you lot do the same?

There are exceptions, like when i have requested a call from a company or im expecting an unknown number for whatever reason.

Am i alone in this?

Spacky · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:01

I ring people and with hold my number, normally though I use those sound boards off Ebaumsworld when I am doing this.

Caller - Hi there whose this
Me - *presses "Napoleoon Dynamite" followed by "Is grandma there"
etc.

If its vice versa they can leave a message or call back again. I never personally answer.

SidewinderINC · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:01

nope, i never answer to withheld numbers!

usually dont answer to numbers i dont know either, if i dont have their number then usually it means i havent given them my number!

if a friend has changed their number then more often than not they'll send a blanket txt message saying "ive changed my number, this is the new one"

Alasdair · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:03

I always answer the phone, but never give any details until I know who it is. The problem I have with caller ID is that some PBXs, specifically those from call centres, automatically withhold your number, and my partner often calls me from her work, so it might be her and I'd never know.

I've been receiving a few prank and malicious calls recently, however I know exactly who they're coming from. If I wasn't to answer the phone, I wouldn't know it to be them, therefore I'd have nothing to report to the police as this is what I'm having to do now. I'm not changing my number out of principle, and having reported them seems to have cut their frequency right down.

iCraig · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:08

Yes. Some clients ring us from a withheld number.

NiCkNaMe · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:11

Nope, never answer a withheld call or one that I don't have in my book for various reasons...

1) it's probably someone I can't be assed with. If they're not in my phone they aren't really important.

2) I can't be bothered chatting to salesmen

3) I'm scared it'l be someone demanding money for something that needs paying

4) Could be work as they're forever ringing to try and get me go in

Samtheman1k · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:11

Malt_Vinegar said:
I never answer a number i dont have in my phone or if the number is withheld. My workmates think im nuts, but i dont get wh... Why would i want to answer the phone to someone i dont know, or someone who feels they need to hide their number??

This applies to my home number and my mobile, do you lot do the same?

There are exceptions, like when i have requested a call from a company or im expecting an unknown number for whatever reason.

Am i alone in this?

When I phone anyone from work, it shows 'witheld' as it goes through a switchboard, so how do you know it's not a friend or family member calling?

dirtydog · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:11

Malt_Vinegar said:
I never answer a number i dont have in my phone or if the number is withheld.

...

Am i alone in this?

No I'm exactly the same - invariably it is someone I don't want to talk to like a salesman.

Lowe · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:12

I answer, but don't speak first.

dirtydog · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:12

Samtheman1k said:
When I phone anyone from work, it shows 'witheld' as it goes through a switchboard, so how do you know it's not a friend or family member calling?

If it's important they'll text or leave a message.

McDaniel · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:16

I do only because if work ring it goes through a switchboard and shows as witheld

alexakasloth · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:18

I do, not sure why might be someone with a new number or something.

TheDogFather · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:21

My home phone is barred from receiving withheld numbers, I rarely answer them on my mobile, sometimes answering it just to say no withheld numbers before hanging up.

Yas786 · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:23

Nope never answer withheld or private numbers...if its that important then leave me a message or better still try ringing me from a number that isnt withheld.

penski · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:26

My voicemail says "I don't switch my phone off so you're only here because I diverted a withheld number. Leave a message, I'll return your call if you're worthy."

*n

Freefaller · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:27

My work phone I do as I often receive a lot of satellite and other non-standard telecommunication calls.

My personal phone I don't - if they don't leave me a VM it's obviously not important.

Dj_Jestar · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:32

Always answer it. A lot of the people who do phone me do so from work phones etc. that don't transmit the number.

If it's a spam company, they get an earful and instructions on how to remove my number from their system. :rolleyes:

monkeyspank · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:42

I always answer it. I don't get many calls sooo ...

saitrix · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:43

I always answer, it bugs me otherwise wondering who rang.

Spacky · 2 Oct 2006 at 15:47

saitrix said:
I always answer, it bugs me otherwise wondering who rang.

Give me your number a minute