An unknown number is calling me: what to do step by step

An unknown number is calling me: what to do step by step

Calls from numbers you don't have saved are part of everyday life. Before you answer or call back, it pays to check who's behind it: the NoCall community keeps a database of user reports on phone numbers.

1. Don't answer with your personal information

If you decide to pick up, listen first. Don't say your full name, don't confirm your Social Security number or date of birth, and don't share codes you receive by text. A legitimate caller will identify themselves without asking for sensitive information right away.

2. Look up the number on NoCall

NoCall's database collects numbers identified by the community. For each number, you can see its risk score, its category, and comments from other users:

• Risk score: from 0 (safe) to 100 (dangerous).
• Category: spam, telemarketing, scam, debt collection, surveys.
• Comments: what other people who got the same call reported.

3. Read the area code

The number itself gives you some quick clues:

• Area code + seven digits, like (202) 555-0123: an ordinary U.S. number. Cell phones use the same area codes as landlines, so the number won't tell you whether it's a cell phone, and the area code alone doesn't prove where the caller really is. NoCall's area code directory can help.
• 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877, 888: toll-free numbers, often used by businesses. They're free to call, but scammers use them too.
• 900: premium-rate numbers that charge you for the call. Don't call back.
• + and a country code other than +1: an international call. Check the country before calling back; it can be expensive. Some unfamiliar area codes that look domestic also belong to other countries.

4. Decide: call back, block, or ignore

• Low risk and a plausible reason: call back as usual.
• Spam or pushy telemarketing: block the number and report it on NoCall. For sales calls, add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry.
• Possible scam: don't call back. If you already shared information, contact your bank and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

5. Protect yourself going forward

Turn on your phone's spam filter and the NoCall app to identify incoming calls automatically. If the call seemed suspicious, also read our step-by-step guides for suspicious calls.

Should I answer a call from an unknown number?

You can answer, but don't share personal or bank details. If the call matters, they'll leave a voicemail or call back. Afterward, look up the number on NoCall to see if other users have reported it.

How can I find out who called me from an unknown number?

Look up the number on NoCall: you'll see its risk score, its category (spam, telemarketing, scam), the carrier, and comments from other users who got the same call.

Is it dangerous to call back an unknown number?

It can be: premium-rate (900) numbers and some international numbers charge high rates when you call them. Always check the number on NoCall before calling back.