What happens if you answer a spam call?

If you’ve answered a spam call, you’ll likely see more spam coming your way.

Spam calls are not necessarily malicious—often, they’re nothing more than annoying marketing calls. 

But—

What if you’ve answered a scam call?

Not the end of the world either, but it may cause a lot of harm if mishandled.

Let’s have a closer look.

What to expect after answering a spam or scam call—and what’s the difference between the two 

Before we begin, let’s make one thing clear—a spam call is not always a scam call.

Spam is a method. Scam is an intention.

To simplify, spam calls are unwanted calls, usually from companies trying to promote a new product or offer.

Scam calls have harmful intentions, aiming to trick you into giving away something valuable—like passwords, personal data, or money. Scammers can use spam, but it’s not their only method.

So—

Some spam calls are legitimate marketing efforts, while some scam calls aren’t spammy at all.

And it’s important for you to recognise which type of call you’re dealing with as each may require different measures.

So, what happens if you answer a spam or scam call? In short:

• If you answer a spam call, you’ll likely receive more spam calls in the future.
• If you answer a scam call but don’t share any information, you’ll be fine. Scammers need your details to succeed.
• If you answer a scam call and share your information or passwords, you’re at serious risk of identity theft. Update your security measures immediately.

But that’s just a quick overview. 

If you want more details and to learn what specific steps to take, read on.

Answered a spam or scam call? A list of threats and actions to take

Just answering a call—even if it’s from a scammer—won’t cause you much trouble.

It’ll let the caller know that your number is active, which may lead to future attempts, but other than that, you’re fine. 

However—

If you not only picked up the phone but also interacted with the caller, e.g., by confirming your personal information or sharing details of your online accounts—you’re at risk.

See the table below for more information.

SPAM CALLS
Description	Potential consequences	Actions to take
From a legitimate business, e.g., a marketing campaign, deal offers, etc.	– Similar attempts in the future, likely with increasing frequency	– Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry – Clearly state to the company calling you that you no longer wish to receive such calls – Alternatively, block the number
From a potential scammer, including if you can’t be sure it’s a legitimate business.	– Similar attempts in the future, likely with increasing frequency – Smishing attempts (scam text messages)	– Download an app to filter spam calls – If it’s not a restricted number—block it – If it is a restricted number, turn on the “block private/restricted numbers” feature on your Android phone – If you’re an iPhone user, consider switching on the “silence unknown callers” setting
SCAM CALLS
Description	Potential consequences	Actions to take
You hung up without saying anything.	– Additional attempts in the future	Consider downloading an app to block spam calls
You engaged in a conversation but didn’t share any information with the scammer.	– Similar attempts in the future, likely with increasing frequency – Smishing attempts (scam text messages)	– Download an app to filter spam calls – If it’s not a restricted number—block it – If it is a restricted number, turn on the “block private/restricted numbers” feature on your Android phone – If you’re an iPhone user, consider switching on the “silence unknown callers” setting
You gave scammers your personal information, like names, addresses, phone numbers.	– Other forms of scams, like phishing (email scams), smishing (SMS scams), or scam mail – Attempts to reset passwords to your online accounts – Identity theft attempts, like opening new accounts in your name, e.g., credit accounts – Doxxing, which involves sharing your information publicly for others to use	All of the above, plus: – Remove your information from people search sites – Consider freezing your credit accounts – Monitor important accounts—like bank, credit, or Social Security—for any unusual activity – Consider reporting the incident to the FTC – Turn on two-factor authentication on all important accounts
You gave scammers credentials to your online accounts, like bank or credit accounts.	– Takeover of the accounts to which you shared your credentials (or ones with similar credentials, like a reused password) – Financial losses from unauthorized transactions and credit-card use, or even cleaning out your bank account – Identity theft attempts, like opening new accounts in your name, e.g., credit accounts – Doxxing, which involves sharing your information publicly for others to use	– Immediately change passwords to all accounts involved and any accounts with similar credentials – Report the incident to the FTC – Turn on two-factor authentication on all important accounts – Freeze your credit accounts – Remove your information from people search sites – Contact the institutions to which you shared your passwords and report the incident – Monitor important accounts—like bank, credit, or Social Security—for any unusual activity
You logged in to your accounts via a link sent by scammers or interacted with it in a different manner.	– Takeover of the accounts to which you shared your credentials (or ones with similar credentials, like a reused password) – Financial losses from unauthorized transactions and credit-card use, or even cleaning out your bank account – Identity theft attempts, like opening new accounts in your name, e.g., credit accounts – Doxxing, which involves sharing your information publicly for others to use	– Immediately change passwords to all accounts involved and any accounts with similar credentials – Report the incident to the FTC – Turn on two-factor authentication on all important accounts – Freeze your credit accounts – Remove your information from people search sites – Contact the institutions to which you shared your passwords and report the incident – Monitor important accounts—like bank, credit, and Social Security—for any unusual activity – Run an antivirus scan on the device from which you opened the link

How to tell if you answered a scam call: key warning signs 

Scammers have plenty of tricks in their playbook.

They might pretend to be police officers, informing you about a relative in jail, or tax officers, asking you to settle your accounts.

Regardless of the script these scams follow, there’s always a common theme.

All scam phone calls try to trick you into doing something—whether it’s sharing information, calling someone back, clicking on a link they sent you, or something similar—and that action is required for the scam to succeed.

If you don’t do it, the scammers can’t win.

To sum up—

Even if you answer a scam call but don’t do what scammers ask you to do, you’re fine.

Here’s how scammers usually try to get to you:

• Promising money, valuable prizes, or other financial rewards
• Threatening you with consequences, even arrest, if you don’t comply
• Creating a false sense of urgency (limited-time offers, emergency situations, otherwise forcing quick decisions)
• Suggesting unconventional payment methods (wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards)
• Impersonating the government or relatives
• Requesting confirmation of your personal details
• Using pre-recorded messages 
• Avoiding answering questions about themselves.

The list is not, by any means, exhaustive.

Scammers are constantly coming up with new schemes, trying to stay one step ahead.

However, it’s safe to say that if you spot any of the abovementioned warning signs, you’re dealing (or have dealt) with a scam call.

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