Answering unknown number calls on my cell phone like a receptionist really confuses scammers.

"Good afternoon, thanks for calling!"

"Hello."

"Hi, who's calling please?"

"This is Experian Security Services calling to discuss an urgent issue with your account."

"Who are you trying to reach?"

"I am looking to talk to the owner of this phone number."

"I'm sorry, I'll need a name to help you."

30 seconds of silence.

Call hangs up.

@vees

I answer the phone with "Alligator Control, how may I help you?"[1] which usually stops people who don't know me in their tracks. 3:O)>

[1] A holdover from when I did Tech Support and knew that if it was $Dayjob I was about to be up to my ass in alligators very shortly. This response is now set in stone (unless I recognise the caller-ID).

As someone noted on ASR, back in the day: "What we really need is Caller IQ.".