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

21.4K    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.



Your Answer

Answers (2)

Getting a phone call from a strange number like +1(-1) can be concerning, as it doesn’t follow the typical phone number format. Here’s what you should do about it:


1. Do Not Answer or Call Back

  • If the number looks suspicious, it’s best not to answer the call.
  • Avoid calling the number back, as it could be a scam or a spoofed number designed to charge you for returning the call.

2. Understand What It Could Be

  • Spoofing: Scammers often use spoofed or fake numbers to make their calls appear legitimate. A format like +1(-1) is clearly not a real number.
  • Phishing Attempt: They might be trying to trick you into sharing personal or financial information.
  • Robocalls: Automated systems sometimes use fake numbers to avoid detection.

3. Block the Number

  • Add the number to your phone’s blocklist so they can’t contact you again.
  • On most smartphones, go to your call log, tap on the number, and select Block or Report Spam.

4. Report the Call

  • To Your Carrier: Many carriers allow you to report spam calls. For example, you can forward the number to 7726 (SPAM) in the U.S.
  • To Authorities: If the call was threatening or highly suspicious, report it to your local fraud agency or police.

5. Stay Vigilant

  • Be cautious of any unexpected calls, especially from unknown or unusual numbers.
  • Never share sensitive information like your passwords, banking details, or social security number over the phone.

By following these steps, you can stay safe and avoid falling victim to phone scams. If you get repeated calls like this, let me know, and I’ll help you with more strategies!

2 Months

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.

11 Months

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