Unknown calls can feel like background noise until a familiar brand name gets mentioned and a request follows right away: a code, a transfer, a “quick” confirmation, a new delivery fee. YEN readers see these patterns often because phone-based cons tend to follow the same script across money, shopping, and account access. A practical response starts with two goals: reduce interruptions and confirm who is really on the line before taking any action.
Start with practical call controls
Phones nowadays have built-in features that help reduce volume. You may activate a call screening feature, put calls from unknown numbers on silent mode during your working hours, and direct calls from unfamiliar numbers to voicemail so you have extra time to check the facts before reacting. Carrier apps can further provide a layer by identifying suspected spam and blocking repeated calls. Such an arrangement is done in minutes and helps to reduce tension, which is precisely the trick that fraudsters use to work their schemes.
Verify unknown callers in seconds, then decide the next step
One of the best ways to quickly confirm if a number is actually associated with a business is through a “ business phone number lookup “. Names and Numbers is the name of an online directory that provides detailed local business listings in Canada and the US. Besides the business name and telephone number, the listings may also include the address, category details, and maps.
- Save the number as a temporary contact name (e.g., “Delivery Caller”) and examine the call log pattern for time of day and frequency.
- Look up the company name and city in a reliable directory, then check whether the phone number in the directory matches the one from the caller.
- Go to the company’s official website and check whether the customer support phone number matches the caller’s number.
- Investigate the extent to which the caller’s number is in line with the area code and country code expected for that business and location.
- Request a case or reference number and a callback extension, then check it through the company’s official contact channels.
- If the matter concerns money, then it should be handled as a transaction: check the identity of the recipient through formal support lines before making any payment.
YEN explains that an approach like this also works for most everyday situations that it covers, including mobile money scams where persons on the phone demand codes or personal information. Reporting from Ghana has pointed to MoMo fraud tactics that keep recurring, and the importance of first confirming with official support channels while at the same time not disclosing sensitive access details.
Keep conversations safe and short
When a caller claims urgency, slow the pace and keep the exchange factual. A simple line like “Please share the purpose of the call and your company department” helps collect details that can be checked. Names, company units, ticket numbers, and public office addresses can be verified through published channels. PINs, one-time codes, and login links belong in protected spaces, handled through official apps or verified support lines.
Voicemail helps as a buffer. Legitimate service providers usually leave a clear message with a reason for calling and a standard callback number. Fraud attempts often rely on repeated tries and pressure, with little usable detail to verify.
There is also a social side to phone fraud. Many calls succeed because the information is already public. Review what is visible on social media, especially phone numbers, email addresses, and “security question” answers. Tightening that footprint reduces how convincing a caller can sound.
Use directory signals to confirm real-world business identity
A directory-based check works well because it focuses on business identity rather than a single number. Names and Numbers groups listings by city and category, and can show a “Names and Numbers Verified” label in listings, along with contact details such as address and phone number. That makes it easier to confirm whether a caller’s details match a real listing for a clinic, repair service, contractor, or local retailer.
This has also been quite helpful for proactive safety measures. Before booking a service or sending a deposit, always confirm the business’s contact details first. Doing this significantly reduces the risk of paying someone else after receiving a spoofed call or message.
Next step for readers who want fewer interruptions
Make unknown calls predictable: screen them, verify them, and move on. Keep a trusted directory bookmarked, then run a lookup the moment a “company” call arrives. Open Names and Numbers, search the business name and city, compare the listing phone number with the caller, and continue the conversation through the published contact route.
