I won't answer calls anymore if I don't recognize the number. The fact that it's in my Contacts list is a good signal. Also, I've learned a few prefixes, like f

I won't answer calls anymore if I don't recognize the number. The fact that it's in my Contacts list is a good signal. Also, I've learned a few prefixes, like for my medical provider, so I can answer calls from that prefix in confidence. Of course any Caller ID like this can be spoofed, but here's the thing: anyone with legitimate business with me needs to be up-front about the number they use to call me. I tell them right off the bat, if they're going to use a "Private" or "Unknown" number, or they can't a priori reveal to me their originating Caller ID before I take their call, then they're going into the bitbucket. I do the same thing with SMS: the first time I receive a security code or notification, that SMS number goes in my Contacts list. Then I can treat unsolicited SMS as the junk and spam that they are. By the way, doctor's offices seldom use humans to call patients anymore. If you have an upcoming appointment, you'll receive an e-mail, an SMS, or worst, a RoboCall. I've had two exceptions: my dentist's office is really small and the receptionist still manually places every reminder call every day. Secondly, if a human nurse calls about test results. (And that's kind of fun doing the authentication dance with them. You answer the phone and they immediately want to know if you are the patient, and your DOB. "But you called me...")