Ostrich, Booster Pack Blueskyer: And what if you're looking for a job? And what if you're dealing with multiple doctors offices? And what if you're running a class and get calls from students? And what if you just don't want to get 50 calls a day all trying to scam you?

The first rule of avoiding scam calls is to never answer unknown numbers, and even some known ones. Curious? Bored? Worried it’s an emergency? Wait the extra minute it takes for the call to go to voice mail, then decide if it’s legitimate.

Sick of scams? Stop answering your phone.www.washingtonpost.com Phone scams are still hugely popular — and they depend entirely on people curious enough to answer.

And what if you're looking for a job? And what if you're dealing with multiple doctors offices? And what if you're running a class and get calls from students? And what if you just don't want to get 50 calls a day all trying to scam you?

What did you do when you didn't walk around with your phone in your pocket? Maybe you're just that young. Seriously, put the electronic devices down & step away. You'll be ok. If it's an emergency they'll immediately try again or at least leave a message.

No, they don't. I'm in my 40s and have severe health problems. The doctor's offices are auto-blocked by phone companies because they don't leave messages so they're marked as spam. My phone doesn't actually ring...at all. It goes to spam without ringing. I once had a surgery referral delayed months.

Did not know that. That's a problem. My doctor never bothers calling - just posts messages to MyChart & sends an emailing telling me to go read it.

My Chart is fantastic for existing doctors, but referrals typically make initial contact through phone calls. And of course I haven't entered them in as contacts and they often have dozens of numbers they might call from. This has become so ugly that my regular doctors need to schedule appts.

Last year, I saw five new specialists and each appointment was delayed by this phone hellscape. One of my rheumatology appointments, we spent 10 minutes trying to sort out why my referral had been cancelled because they said they were unable to get a hold of me on the phone. It never rang.

This is my experience as someone with chronic health issues, thank you for responding.

If you have an iPhone, unknown numbers not ringing is a setting you can change. Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Numbers. Turn that off & calls from numbers not in your contacts will ring through.

You’ve clearly not had to be on a years-long specialist waiting list hoping at any minute they’ll call with a chance to fill a cancelation slot and move your needed treatment up six months. Those folks only call once, and you better pick up.

You are correct. In the post I responded to I also say references to students & job searches... those were actually the ones I'm familiar with. Can't imagine why medical offices would be blocked.

You're wrong. If my kid's friend's parent is calling me to get permission for a thing, the opportunity for that thing might be over by the time I check all the messages and call back. That is a minor example, and it's not an emergency. But you're just so wrong. The world has changed, Gooneybird.

I'm old. I get annoyed when people I'm visiting with keep picking up their phone every few minutes while we're catching up.

I'm sorry that happens to you, but the inattentiveness of your acquaintances is unrelated to this. It could be a landline and the scam call problem would still apply.

LOL Look around you. Not unique to "my acquaintances". Today our surgeon general recommended a warning on electronic devices People having trouble connecting with their medical professionals is an issue FOMO driving people to pick up their device every time it rings or vibrates is also an issue

Okay. For me it's my doctor.

The warning was not for "electronic devices." It was for social media. Maybe it's not right for you. www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco...

Proposed social media warning labels find support among doctors, advocateswww.cbsnews.com - A proposal by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to place warning labels on social media platforms is finding support among doctors and advocates who are concerned that the sites contribute to me...

That's fair, but not because you're old. It's rude to check your phone while in a live conversation. If it rings, and you are in a lifestyle that needs to answer calls, then excuse yourself and answer. That's not the discussion here, though.

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