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Rejecting Unknown Calls Can Increase Spam, Experts Warn

Automated dialers treat rejections as proof a line is live, prompting advice to let unknown calls ring.

Overview

  • Call‑center systems record any reaction—rejections, busy signals or key presses—as validation that a number is active and worth targeting.
  • Non‑interaction is the recommended short‑term tactic, so let suspicious calls go to voicemail and do not press buttons or call back unknown numbers.
  • Use built‑in defenses such as iOS Silence Unknown Callers and Android spam filtering to divert unsolicited calls without signaling activity.
  • Long‑term measures include enrolling in do‑not‑call or exclusion lists such as No Llame or Lista Robinson and retracting marketing consents from services and apps.
  • Coverage credits a Jan. 9 post by AI professor Nona for crystallizing the guidance and notes that users can also file complaints with consumer or cyber authorities when unwanted calls persist.