Here are some creative ways to respond to that dreaded “Unknown” call:
Almost everyone’s been hit with those marketing calls or scam attempts, where they claim you “won” some “competition” and need your bank details.
One content creator shared some of his favorite ways to handle these calls—some are your classic responses, while others are just for those looking for a good laugh. Here are a few:
- The Super Suspicious: “What’s the catch? I bet I have to sign up for something, right?”
- The Overly Enthusiastic: “Oh wow, I’ve always wanted to win a competition! Tell me more, but first, can you confirm your identity with my secret handshake?”
- The Extreme Curiosity: “Tell me, is this the grand prize of a lifetime, or just another scam attempt?”
- The Puzzled Customer: “Wait, I didn’t enter any competition… Am I still eligible for a free trip to Mars?”
- The Giggle-Inducer: “Sure! Just let me grab my unicorn and we’ll get this deal rolling!”
Sometimes, mixing in a bit of humor is the best way to deal with these annoying calls!
5. The polite one
You can always answer, let them pitch their offer, and then politely reply with a simple “I’m not interested” before hanging up. For marketing calls, this is usually the best approach. However, when it comes to scam calls, this might not always work, as they can be surprisingly persistent and try to keep you on the line.
4. The scammer special
You pick up, they start their pitch, and as soon as you realize it’s a scam, you hang up mid-sentence. It’s definitely not the most “polite” approach, but with those who are really persistent and trying to get your private info, sometimes it’s the only thing that works!
3. The window shopper
You pick up, act like you’re interested, and play along with their pitch, only to hit them with a solid “I’m not interested” at the end. This one’s a bit risky, but it’s perfect for those who want to waste the scammer’s time just like they wasted yours—or for a group of friends looking for a bit of funny entertainment!
2. The ring and reject
You see “Unknown Caller,” check the Caller ID or Truecaller, and if anything looks even remotely suspicious or linked to marketing, you just DECLINE. This is the most basic move, but also the most common—perfect for those who aren’t taking any chances with spam calls and prefer to play it safe (totally understandable!).
1. The ‘pitch to the fridge’
You answer, put your phone on the counter, and then do literally ANYTHING else, letting them market to the wall or the air molecules around you. This isn’t exactly efficient, but it’s perfect for the petty folks who just want to waste their time the way they’re wasting yours!
Sometimes, handling these situations with a bit of humor is the best way to make them less frustrating. However, it’s crucial to report any new scamming techniques to Dubai Police to help warn others and prevent them from falling victim. Also, never click on any unidentified links you receive through messages!
And hey, who knows… maybe one day those real estate companies will finally get the memo that you’re definitely not in the market for a MANSION!
