So, I got a call about 20 minutes ago, and wasn’t able to answer, as it only rung once. I called the number back and the person who answered said they have no record of the call whatsoever. I replied “Okay then, sorry for the inconvenience then goodb-” The person cut me off to ask if I was a student of a local school, in which I replied no. Then she asked if I was the person who sells drugs to her son. Shocked, I barely squeaked out “no”
I assumed this was a prank call, and when I traced the number it was located somewhere lower in the state.
So a) Was my reaction ok
And b) should I report it?
Depends. Have you stopped selling drugs to her son?
Deny, deny, deny.
What you should have done was NOT call back a strange number that appeared on your caller ID. If it was legit and important they would leave a voice mail or call back later. Otherwise, there’s a pretty good chance it was a wrong number or a glitch in the caller ID system causing it to show a bogus number.
Probably the lady on the other end wondered why someone from a strange number was calling her phone.
Since the OP is looking for advice, let’s move this to IMHO.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
Second this. I’ve hung up after one ring (or after half a ring) when I realized I’d mis-dialed. In such cases, I have no need to engage in conversation with you or bother you any further.
This. Telemarketers often falsify their caller ID info (it’s trivial).
Don’t let the man get you down!! Fight the power!
Except now there is a mom who thinks her son is buying drugs from someone at your phone number, and your number is on record as having responded -promptly- to a call from one of her household lines (heaven help you if it was her son’s phone you called).
But probably trivial.
I would not return a call like that. But, to answer the question the OP asked: If anyone just out of the blue asked me if I sell illegal drugs, I’d flat out refuse to answer or discuss it any further.
At the very most, I might say “Maybe I did and maybe I didn’t.”
Just to add in, the area code was from my state, and I’ve lived 15 minutes from the city i traced said number to, low crime, but drugs don’t seem to be a problem in Midwestern PA.
Additional note- that’s 3 times now someone has saved my ass on a “damn I thought this thread would’ve fit” type scenario, thanks colibri
Another additional note- when I said it ring once, I meant MY phone rung, as I was receiving the call
Dave’s not here, man.
Drugs are a problem EVERYWHERE.
Unless you know the number, don’t pick up.
If they don’t leave a message, it wasn’t important.
And never call back an unknown number.
The old “billing you if you call a number back” scam is rearing its ugly head again. People are being charged up to $99 for calling back numbers which call them. That’s why I don’t call unknown numbers back unless I have checked them on Google first.
Next time (if there is one) simply state that the person has the wrong number and hang up.
“No, Officer, I do not.”
why would you do such a thing? I get plenty of calls on my cell from numbers I don’t recognize. I silence them. if it’s from someone I know they’ll leave a voicemail and I’ll get right back to them if it’s important. It’s never once occurred to me to call back an unrecognized number.
this whole thing is weird.
report what to whom?
Besides the fact that scammers can change the call display info to whatever their little perverted hearts desire, even legit business calls very often do not come from the number on the call display - it is often set to be the front desk/switchboard.
Finally, assuming all is legit, who would hang up after letting the phone ring once?? Sounds more like “Oops-I dialed that wrong”.
Looks like I’m in a minority position here, considering the replies that have been given so far, but since this is IMHO I guess it’s fair to add that I don’t see much of a risk in calling back an unknown number whose call I missed. There are people (and I include myself in that) who don’t particularly like talking to a voicemail. When they try to call me and get only to voicemail, they will hang up without leaving a message, but the call may still be of importance. Of course if it really is important, they will try again later; but they don’t know when I’ll be available, so “later” could amount to hours or even days from now. If I see, however, that there was a call that I missed only minutes ago, and call back right away, then I have just shortened the waiting period. Result: Good if it’s legit, but no damage done if it isn’t. It just looks overly cautious to me to warn against calling back unknown numbers as a matter of principle. What’s the worst thing that can happen?
I will join your minority. I Have several folks that have me on their speed dial for emergencies. When you live out of town, neighbors do help each other. I do not have all of my friends & neighbors logged into my phone.
If I get a one ring call, I often call them right back. It may be very important to either them or myself.
AS to the OPs answer to the question, are you the person who is selling my son drugs, my reply is “H3LL No!!, I need to keep my drugs for my own use.”
I tend to call back, myself. I’m just curious. I don’t get many calls.
I always thought incredulous laughter was the correct response to that question. Whether you are or aren’t.
I still fail to see the logic. Why would someone only ring once if it is an emergency?
*“But what if–”
“Deny!”
“Or if she–”
“Deny!”
“or–”
“DENY!”
*