Asger Risom
While tech firms and regulators are trying to curb telemarketing, consumer experts say there’s a simple phrase that can get a caller to hang up — and stop them from trying again.
Annoying sales calls still slip through even the most advanced filters. While tech firms and regulators are trying to curb telemarketing, consumer experts say there’s a simple phrase that can get a caller to hang up — and stop them from trying again.
Spam-call fatigue
Telemarketing has long frustrated mobile users, especially when calls interrupt the day with offers they never asked for. According to reporting from elEconomista, governments have tightened rules around aggressive sales tactics, and device makers now integrate tools that flag suspicious numbers before the phone even rings.
Some carriers have added their own protections. One example is MasOrange’s “Visible Calls,” a feature that provides a clearer warning when an incoming number is suspected of being spam. Even so, many commercial calls still evade detection.
What not to do
Consumer advisers say one common instinct — hanging up immediately — may actually encourage future calls. Ending the conversation abruptly can signal you were simply unavailable, not uninterested.
They also caution against answering questions from the caller or sharing any personal data, including names, emails or ID numbers. Doing so can confirm that the number is active, increasing the likelihood of repeat contact.
The five-word exit
Experts recommend a brief, direct response designed to shut down the sales script entirely: “No thanks, I’m not interested.”
These calls are structured to keep people engaged long enough to deliver a pitch, but companies also know that pushing too hard risks alienating potential customers. A clear statement of disinterest removes the incentive to call again.
A simple solution
While no measure eliminates spam entirely, this straightforward phrase can reduce the odds of further follow-ups. As elEconomista notes, the goal of these callers is to sell — not to antagonize — and when that becomes impossible, they usually move on.
Sources: elEconomista
