I got a phone call from a weird number, it was a call from +1(-1), what should I do about it?

19.5K    Asked by ankurDwivedi in SQL Server , Asked on Jan 4, 2022
I just got a call from a very weird number. On my phone it displays "+1 (1) (5 )" and "USA" below.

Next I tried to call the number again, but a default voice from my phone company told me that the number was invalid. What could this be?

Answered by ananya Pawar

So what is this caller id?


Well the called id is definitely invalid since anyone with a call center can change the caller id of the call this is probably one of the two following things: The caller set it that way and your service provider identified the call from +1(1) which is the USA area code and that's why it says USA. Your service provider noticed that it is a number with no id but it did come from a call center in the US and attached the "+1 (1) (5 )" for their own reasons (Carriers do this to try and inform the user with as much info as possible). So what is this? A famous marketing technique to detect valid phone numbers is to call them not using any caller id and check if they answer which would indicate they are valid. Since this is an automated system there is no voice on the other side.



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Answer (1)

Receiving a call from a weird or suspicious number like "+1(-1)" can be concerning. Here are some steps you can take:


Do Not Answer: If you're unsure about the caller's identity or the legitimacy of the number, it's generally safest not to answer the call. Let it go to voicemail.

Block the Number: After the call, consider blocking the number on your phone to prevent further calls from that specific number.

Do Not Return the Call: Avoid calling back the number, especially if it seems suspicious. Returning the call could potentially lead to unwanted charges or expose you to scams.

Report the Call: If you believe the call may be part of a scam or fraudulent activity, you can report it to your phone carrier, as well as organizations like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your country's consumer protection agency.

Stay Informed: Keep yourself informed about common phone scams and tactics used by scammers to avoid falling victim to fraudulent calls in the future.

If you continue to receive calls from similar suspicious numbers, you may also consider enabling call-blocking features on your phone or using third-party call-blocking apps to filter out unwanted calls. Additionally, be cautious about sharing personal information over the phone, especially with callers whose identity you cannot verify.

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