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 usually 'put them on hold for a second' ... just put my phone down and carry on doing whatever it was that they interrupted. occasionally hear their faint "hello?"s. see how long they hold out before hanging up. any second they waste with me is a second they're not scamming somebody

@patrick_h_lauke @vees

A few seconds of silence often seems to do the job. They hang up. I assume it's a super-optimised operation.