Featured Image Credit: LADbible
Topics: Phones, Technology, Crime, Artificial Intelligence, News, Samsung, iPhone
Joshua Nair
Topics: Phones, Technology, Crime, Artificial Intelligence, News, Samsung, iPhone
Experts have warned those who like to answer calls that they receive under 'No Caller ID'.
The difference between 'No Caller ID' and 'unknown caller' has been outlined recently, with the former meaning that a person has decided to withhold their number from you.
This can be done by dialling 141 before entering someone's phone number, or by changing your own settings to restrict your calls - though this a move often pulled by scammers.
On the other hand, an 'unknown caller' can indicate a problem with your phone's mobile network.
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Even if you know what's being done, seeing the ominous text pop up on your screen can be daunting to some, or enticing to others who may want to pick up and find out who it really is.
According to the tech experts over at Norton, you should avoid these calls at all costs, unless you're expecting someone to call you.
Whether it be waiting for news on a loved one who's ill, hearing back on a job interview, or being told to expect a ring from an unknown number, these are the instances you can probably pick the phone up for.
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While unknown callers are less risk than No Caller ID, as it could simply be someone you know experiencing network issues, it's always safer to let it go to voicemail, or even wait for a text so they can confirm it's them.
In the majority of situations, you should probably let it ring, according to experts who have outlined three reasons why you should let it go.
Whether it be a telemarketer, robocaller, or scammer, picking the phone up indicates that your phone number is active, which could lead to more unwanted calls in the future from the original caller, or others after it's been sold to others.
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Social media users have even revealed that they get repeat calls where nobody speaks, almost as a tactic to find active numbers.
A criminal may record your voice for fraudulent purposes, as a simple 'yes' or 'hello' could mean that your soundbite is edited and used to commit identity theft.
This is the age of AI, after all.
Accounts could be opened in your name, and money could be taken from your account.
They could also be voice phishing, with fraudsters often posing as charities, banks, or law enforcement to take your personal information and potentially scam you.
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It takes a simple tweak of your phone's settings - iPhone users simply have to silence them by opening Settings, selecting Phone, clicking on Silence Unknown Callers, and toggle the switch to turn it on.
Android users can actually block unknown callers completely, changing settings so your phone can decline the call.
Firstly, open the Phone app, tap the Three Dots at the top right of the screen, click on Settings and then Block Numbers, before toggling the switch next to Block Calls From Unknown Numbers to switch it on.