Cold callers can be an unwelcome intrusion into our daily lives. Whether they’re trying to sell you something, conduct a survey, or even scam you, these unsolicited calls can be frustrating and disruptive. While some cold calls are legitimate marketing efforts, many are simply nuisances that can interrupt your day. Thankfully, there are various ways to deal with these calls effectively. Here are some practical and creative strategies to help you handle cold callers and take back control of your phone.

Ignore the Phone Call

Firstly, you can simply choose to ignore the phone call. This is harder to do if your phone does not tell you who is calling, for example, on a landline that does not have a caller ID function. If it is on your mobile phone, however, you should be able to see the number calling you. If it’s unknown or a number you don’t recognise and you are not expecting a call, it’s probably a cold caller. I always ignore these sorts of calls and wait to see if they leave an answer phone message. If not, then I assume it’s a nuisance call.

Block the Phone Number

If it is a nuisance call, then you may be able to block the phone number from calling or texting you, depending on your type of phone. On my iPhone, I am able to add phone numbers to a block list with a few clicks. Most smartphones have similar features, allowing you to stop specific numbers from reaching you in the future. For landlines, consider contacting your phone provider to see if they offer call-blocking services.

Hang Up

You are under no obligation to talk to these callers. If you’ve answered a cold call and don’t want to talk to them, you can just hang up. Simply say you’re not interested and are going to end the call, or just hang up without saying anything. They are likely used to it, as most people do not appreciate being contacted out of the blue in this way.

Waste Their Time

If you have the time to spare, why not waste their time? Go along with the conversation about whatever it is they are trying to sell you and pretend you are interested. Time is very precious to them as they will be trying to reach a certain number of sales per day.

I always remember a funny story of someone telling me they went along with the spiel from a conservatory salesperson for ages, with the caller thinking they had a sale. Then, the person revealed they lived in a third-floor flat with no garden. They had simply revelled in wasting the annoying cold caller’s time!

Simply act interested at the start, let them start their sales pitch, and after they’ve put the effort into doing that, just admit that you’re not really interested. You can even admit that you were just wasting their time, as cold callers waste yours by constantly calling. They’ll probably think twice before ringing your number again!

Tell Them You’ll Record the Call

Once you realise they are just an unwanted cold caller, say, “Hello, just to let you know that I will be recording this phone call as you’re not complying with the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations of 2003. This legislation has been put in place to help restrict marketing methods through cold-calling, unsolicited texts, emails, and faxes.”

This approach will usually make them hang up before you even finish speaking!

Say You’re Bankrupt

There’s only one thing that cold callers ever want, and that is your money! They are trying to sell you something, get you to donate to something, or make a claim on your behalf while taking a hefty commission. If they are trying to sell you something that requires a credit agreement, you could simply tell them you have recently been declared bankrupt. This will likely deter them from continuing the conversation.

Sell Them Something

I’ve always thought it would be amusing to turn the conversation around and try to sell them something instead! Use their pitch on them or reword it. If you’re great at acting and improvisation, this could be a rather amusing way to deal with the caller. You never know, you might even sell something!

Speak a Different Language

As they’re targeting your home in Britain, they’re likely expecting you to speak English. Don’t conform to what they want! If you can speak another language, try doing that. As they won’t be able to understand what you’re saying, they will hang up. If you don’t know another language, make one up. This will leave them even more confused than they originally were.

Ask to Be Removed from Their List

If the caller is from a legitimate company, you can request to be removed from their call list. Ask them to add your number to their "Do Not Call" list and inform them that you do not wish to be contacted again. Reputable companies are often required to honour this request. While this won’t work with scam callers, it can reduce the number of calls from legitimate telemarketing firms.

Register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS)

If you’re in the UK, you can register your number with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS). This is a free service that helps reduce unsolicited sales and marketing calls. Once registered, legitimate companies are not allowed to call you without your consent. While this won’t block all cold calls, it can significantly reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive.

Use Call Screening Services

Many phone providers and third-party apps offer call screening services. These services can filter calls, sending suspected spam or marketing calls directly to voicemail. Some apps can even provide information about the caller, helping you decide whether to answer or ignore the call. By using these services, you can reduce the interruptions caused by cold callers.

Play a Prank

If you’re feeling particularly playful and have some time on your hands, you could prank the caller. For instance, pretend you’re from a rival company trying to sell them a product, or act as if you’re deeply interested in their pitch but need to involve an imaginary partner or manager who never actually arrives. While this won’t stop future calls, it can add a bit of humour to an otherwise annoying situation.

Final Word

Cold callers can be a persistent annoyance, but they don’t have to ruin your day. Whether you choose to ignore, block, or engage with them in a creative way, you have the power to handle these calls on your terms. Hopefully, the more people who don’t accept cold callers or play them at their own game, the less they will call, and perhaps the practice will even become redundant.