I’m getting a lot of phone calls from various area codes, some I recognize and many I don’t. Today, I got one from area code 827. Apparently, it’s from an area code that is not assigned to anywhere at all. Here’s my point: If I don’t recognize a phone number or an area code or both, I DON’T take the call. First and foremost, if it’s a legitimate call, the caller will leave a voice message. Second, by not answering it, I give myself the chance to Google the area code to see where it’s from. And EVEN THEN, if I do recognize the area code because it’s from an area code where someone I know lives but I don’t recognize the actual phone number, I STILL don’t answer it and wait to see if there’s any message. Let me tell you what I would NEVER do: If for some reason, I did answer the phone, once the scammer started talking and I realized that I didn’t know who it was or I realized that I was talking to someone who wanted to sell me something or who claimed he or she was my grandchild who was stranded in London or Paris or Bora Bora, I would NEVER engage in a phone conversation with that person. I would just hang up and when he/she called back, I would let the phone ring and not answer it no matter how many times they called back. And here’s a tip: If you answer a phone call and after you say hello, there’s no answer for more than there would be if there were someone on the other end of the line; IMMEDIATELY HANG UP. If, like me, you still have a land line, make sure that you have caller id and check it before you answer. Oh, and I also got an email from someone with the “I’m stranded story.” I didn’t respond to that either.