To not answer an unknown number

[Patentreegml]

I am a supply teacher, furloughed, and looking for jobs around the Chester area.

I have just had an unknown number call me which said it was from Birmingham. I didn't answer as usually I wait for unknown numbers to finish and then google the number.
Google did not have any info on the number.
No voicemail was left.

I'm just worried incase it was important.
But I can't think who would ring me from Birmingham.
But surely any job application callbacks would leave a voicemail?

I don't answer unless I know the number. People can leave me a message if it's important.

I google the number and if it comes up as spam/a scam I will just block the number.

What's the point in having a phone and not answering it when it rings?

[quote Patentreegml]@Puddlejuice but once again, I haven't applied for teaching jobs in Birmingham and I can't imagine schools in my area ringing from Birmingham[/quote]
There is the possibility that if you've applied directly to schools, it may be a multi academy trust and it's the lead school that does the recruitment stuff.

I used to not answer calls unless I recognised the number, but it just makes the situation worse because time is spent worry about who it was

Call them back and find out what they wanted?

As Worra says, we can't tell you!

I missed two unknown number calls, no voicemail left, answered another one of the calls today and turned out it was a hospital contacting me about an important medical appointment. So assuming they will leave a voicemail if it's important isn't necessarily correct.

@negomi90

I work in a hospital, when I call patients it's from a witheld number (which you can't look up). I don't leave messages in case I've accidentally called the wrong person as I don't want to break confidentiality. I normally only try once or twice because I get busy.

This is why I always answer withheld numbers. It takes two seconds to ring off if they're spam.

My daughter is a nurse and she says it causes huge problems when they can't get in touch with next of kin because they just don't pick up.

I can't think of anything worse than not being available to my family if they need me in a medical emergency.

Given that everyone is working from home at the moment (and you are job-hunting) I think it was pretty foolish not to answer the phone in the first place. I am using a new work mobile for calls so no-one I call is going to have that number stored, on occasion when the service has been poor I have used my home number to call people, also not going to be recognised by anyone. The call could well have been from one of the agencies you are registered with as who knows where their employees are currently located?

Anyway, answer the phone or don't but don't then come onto the internet to ask a bunch of strangers to justify your decision!

@Patentreegml

It began with 0121 so definitely Birmingham

Just ring the damn thing. If it's a scam you'll get the number unobtainable sound.

OP - did the number end in 120?
I've had a call today from Birmingham area, same number called yesterday and I answered, it's a scam/telemarketing call and the number has been widely reported.

Have you googled the number?

I hardly ever answer unknown numbers, but there are no rights and wrongs about this. As it’s worried you, maybe answer in future- as PP have said, you can always hang up.

@IntermittentParps

Why are people so weird about answering the phone? If its bollocks you just hang up... It's just easier not to answer when you suspect it's a junk call.

How is it easier?

It's literally just a tap or a swipe.

Much easier than trying to work out who it was afterwards.

Would you not just call them back and say you had a missed call?

Multiple teachers have phoned recently if withheld numbers , only one doesn’t so I definitely need to answer. I always do anyway.

It wasn't an unknown number. It was a number unknown to you.

Unknown number literally says 'unknown number' on the screen. This was a call with the number in screen. If it was your dodgy ex surely the number would have been hidden.

I have to call clients referred to me in the course of my work to arrange appointments for them. It's utterly tedious when they won't answer numbers they don't know when they are aware they'll be getting a call. If I have to call and text repeatedly, especially if they've switched off their voicemail, it represents time and effort I don't get paid for.

I don't understand how it's easier not to answer a call either.

Especially if you're then going to start googling the number, then worry about it and wonder who it was to such an extent that you start a thread about it and ask a bunch of stranger who they think it might be.

Just one swipe and you can know if it's a scam, or something important. How is that so hard?

Companies sometimes use phone masking so they can call from a mobile number but it says it's Leeds or Birmingham. Much better to just answer and hang up if it's suspicious or spam.

I don't answer numbers I don't know. If it is legitimate business, they will leave a message.

WFH atm and no work mobile means when I'm calling customers I have to use my personal mobile so I always withhold my number. If I was looking for a job I would be answering any calls that came. You can't always trust where it says call originates. I get lots of calls that say Glasgow and that's not where the people making the call are.

I never answer withheld or unknown numbers.They can leave a message if important,which they rarely do.

I can see there are one or two people on this thread who adopt the very same attitudes that make doing my job more difficult.

I’m a doctor and find it really frustrating when patients who are expecting a call don’t answer. I have no choice as our phones are automatically blocked, and even if they weren’t I don’t want to give out my direct line. These are all expected/ scheduled calls (usually at a preset time) so I really don’t get why someone wouldn’t answer. All very well and good to say leave a voicemail- but by the time they’ve called back half hour later they’ve usually missed their appointment slot and then I have to make up the time elsewhere.

@ilovesooty completely agree with you and don’t understand it myself.