What happens if you answer a spam call?

Should you answer spam calls?

No, you should not answer calls from unknown or suspicious numbers. Answering spam calls lets the caller know your number is active, which can lead to more unwanted calls in the future. The best thing to do is ignore and block spam calls.

What happens when you answer a spam call?

Several things can happen when you answer a spam call:

The caller may try to engage you in conversation to gather personal information or determine if you are a real person. This allows them to sell your information or target you for future scams.

You may hear a prerecorded sales pitch or robocall message. Spammers use autodialers to make large volumes of calls and play prerecorded messages when people answer.
The caller may attempt to verify your number is active so they can add it to lists for future spam calls or text messages.
The call may connect you to a live telemarketer or scammer that tries to sell you something fraudulent or extract sensitive information.

Answering signals your number is real and likely to pick up, resulting in more spam calls in the future.

Why you get spam calls

There are several reasons why spam callers target you:

Number recycling – When old phone numbers are reassigned to new people, spammers keep calling the number if it previously belonged to someone who answered spam calls.

Data breaches – Your personal information like name and number can be leaked in data breaches, ending up in the hands of spammers.
List generation – Bots and autodialers randomly guess at possible number combinations and call them to find valid numbers.
Targeted dialing – Scammers buy leads or generate specific numbers known to match demographics they want to target, like seniors.

Robocalls – Automated robocall systems dial random or sequential numbers to deliver prerecorded messages.
Call spoofing – Scammers use spoofing technology to disguise the source of spam calls and trick you into answering.

What scammers do on spam calls

There are many sinister reasons scammers make these nuisance calls:

Try to get personal information like your name, birthdate, address, or banking details so they can commit identity theft.
Request remote access to your computer under false pretenses to install malware, steal data, or encrypt your files for ransom.
Get you to pay money for fake services, prizes, or problems they claim to fix like computer viruses.

Record your voice to use in future scams or sell to other parties for voice spoofing.
Gather data to target you with more relevant scam attempts based on details you provide.
Keep you on the line to verify your number is valid and active.

Never provide sensitive personal or financial details to unsolicited callers.

13 things scammers say on spam calls

Some common tactics scammers use on spam calls include:

“This is the Social Security Administration and your benefits are suspended.”

“You’ve won a free cruise vacation, we just need to verify some details.”
“We’re calling from the IRS and you owe back taxes.”
“Your computer has a virus, give us remote access so we can fix it.”

“Your Amazon/Netflix account has been hacked, please verify your info.”
“We’re the police and your identity has been stolen.”
“We’re conducting a survey, it will only take a few minutes of your time.”

“This is your bank’s fraud department, we noticed suspicious activity.”
“Your Apple iCloud account has been breached, we need your details.”
“We’re a tech support company and your computer sent us an error message.”

“You missed your jury duty date and there is a warrant for your arrest.”
“You have unpaid utility bills, pay immediately or your service will be cut off.”
“We’re a delivery company and need to verify your address for a package.”

How to recognize spam calls

Here are some signs a call is likely spam:

Caller ID shows an unfamiliar number
Number has a different area code than your own

Call originates overseas
Robocall with prerecorded or automated menu
Calls from same number repeat persistently

Call claims there is a problem or you owe money
Pressure to provide personal or financial information
Scare tactics threatening arrest or account suspension

Too good to be true offers like prizes or free gifts
Spoofed caller ID displaying a real company or government name

When in doubt, hang up and independently look up the entity that supposedly called you.

How to stop getting spam calls

You can take steps to reduce spam calls:

Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. Send them to voicemail.
Screen incoming calls with call blocking apps.

Register your number on the FTC’s National Do Not Call Registry.
Ask organizations not to call you and remove your info from their lists.
Change your phone number and only share it selectively.

Install a call blocking device or app to intercept robocalls.
Check with your phone carrier for call blocking features.
Use the spam reporting tools on your smartphone.

Ask callers to remove you from their lists.

Consistently avoiding or blocking spam calls signals your number is unattractive for future calls.

What to do when you get a spam call

If you answer and realize it’s a spam caller:

Do not press any numbers or speak phrases the recording asks you to.
Hang up immediately – don’t engage with the caller at all.
Report the call to authorities like the FTC or FCC.

Block the number so your phone rejects future calls.
SCREENSHOT. Add the number to your smartphone’s reject list.
If scammed, call your bank and other affected companies.

Avoiding interaction altogether is the safest response.

Can you get in trouble for answering spam calls?

Simply answering a spam call will not get you into legal trouble. However, problems can occur if you:

Provide personal or financial details the scammer requests

Make payments to scammers or give them remote access to your device
Accept fraudulent services, prizes, gifts, or deals from spam callers
Allow spammers to sign you up for unwanted services

Saying anything beyond “take me off your list” or “I’m not interested” can open you up to problems. Responding affirmatively to scam offers or giving out information can have financial, legal, and security consequences.

Can spam calls steal your identity?

Spam callers can potentially steal your identity if they trick you into revealing enough personal information like:

Full name

Date of birth
Social Security Number
Address

Phone number
Bank account details
Credit card numbers

Answers to security questions
Mother’s maiden name

With these details, scammers can commit identity theft by opening fraudulent accounts, taking out loans, or filing fake tax returns in your name. Never voluntarily share sensitive data with questionable callers.

Why you should never pay a spam caller

If a suspicious caller demands payment from you, never comply, even if they threaten consequences. Reasons to avoid paying spam callers:

The threats they make are fraudulent – they have no power to follow through.
Paying them enables and encourages more scam attempts.

They will keep calling back asking for more money.
Your payment info like bank account or card number can be stolen.
You will lose the money with no way to get it back.

Government agencies and legitimate companies will not cold call demanding urgent payments while threatening penalties. Always verify a payment request through an independent channel before sending money.

Can spam calls infect your phone?

It’s unlikely a spam call alone can directly infect your phone with malware. However, spam callers may:

Trick you into downloading infected apps to spy on you

Get you to visit phishing sites that download malware
Obtain remote access to directly infect your device if answered
Send infected SMS links and texts after calling

Leave infected voicemail files you open
Enable malware by activating device admin privileges

Avoid downloading anything sent by spam callers. But the call itself will not infect your phone. Keep software updated and be wary of callbacks requesting remote access.

Can you get removed from spam calling lists?

There are steps that may help reduce calls from legitimate telemarketers but likely won’t stop illegal scam callers:

Ask specific companies to place you on their internal Do Not Call list.
Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry.

Use the FTC’s complaint assistant to report unwanted calls.
Work with your phone provider to block known spam numbers.
Screen calls with a spam call blocking app or service.

Disable Caller ID to prevent number spoofing.

Because many spam calls originate overseas, stopping them completely is difficult but being proactive can reduce their frequency.

Should you report spam phone numbers?

Yes, you should report spam calls and illegal robocalling to relevant authorities, like:

The FTC’s Do Not Call Registry complaint page
Federal Communications Commission complaints
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre

Phone carrier support contacts – they can block numbers
AARP’s Fraud Watch Network
Local law enforcement

Reporting scammers helps investigators identify patterns, trace operations, press charges, and shutdown illegal calling campaigns. The more complaints submitted against a specific number, the stronger the case.

Can you sue for receiving spam calls?

Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), you cannot directly sue someone for calling you illegally. However, you can:

Report them to regulators like the FCC or FTC, which can impose fines.

Report the calls to your state attorney general as a violation of consumer protection laws.
Work with your phone carrier to identify source numbers and take legal action.
Sue a robocaller if their actions caused you demonstrable monetary harm.

Class action lawsuits are also sometimes filed against larger scam calling organizations. But the bar for directly suing over spam calls is high and challenging unless you have substantial damages.

How to file a complaint about spam phone calls

To file complaints about illegal robocalling:

Note date, time, number, and details about the unwanted call.

Report the call through the FTC Complaint Assistant or 1-888-382-1222.
File an FCC complaint online or by phone 1-888-225-5322.
Report number to Do Not Call Registry or 1-888-382-1222.

Contact your phone carrier and request number blocking.
Consider reporting scare tactics or threats to local law enforcement.

The more detailed information you can provide like timestamps, frequency, caller ID, content, etc., the better. Authorities use complaints to track down and build cases against illegal callers.

What government agency handles spam calls?

In the United States, the two main federal agencies that combat spam and illegal robocalls are:

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Enforces the National Do Not Call Registry and files lawsuits against major robocallers under the Telemarketing Sales Rule.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – Investigates and fines robocallers violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

State attorneys general can also take action against callers violating state telemarketing and consumer protection laws. The FTC and FCC work closely with phone carriers to trace scam calls and providers may have their own anti-spam call programs.

Do spam calls mean your phone is hacked?

A sudden increase in spam calls does not necessarily mean your phone has been hacked. Some possible reasons you may start getting more robocalls include:

Number recycling by your phone carrier

Data breach exposing your contact information
Being targeted for scam callbacks after filing complaints
A robocaller randomly or sequentially dialing numbers

Age, income, location, or other information making you a target
Signing up for a service that sells your data
Hovering your mouse over a phone number on a web page can trigger calls

While frustrating, more spam calls by themselves don’t indicate your phone has been compromised. Monitor accounts closely for any suspicious activity just in case.

Can police track spam phone calls?

Police have technical ways to track some spam calls when the caller ID is accurate and originating area is local:

Ping the cell tower signal to identify location of robocall devices

Subpoena call logs from phone carriers
Trace caller ID information like carrier and IP address
Work with providers to look up subscribers associated with phone numbers

Collaborate with the FCC to access traceback data

For illegal overseas robocalls made using VoIP technology, the options are more limited but reporting the numbers provides useful data on call patterns.

Conclusions

Answering spam phone calls enables scammers by confirming your number is active, so avoid picking up when possible. Do not provide personal details or payments to unsolicited callers. Common tactics like scare tactics and too good to be true offers signal likely scam attempts. Keep software up to date, use blocking tools, and report unwanted calls to regulators and carriers to cut down on illegal robocalls over time. With caution, you can avoid potential identity theft, financial loss, and device infection from answering spam calls.