Don't engage with scammers.
Don't confirm any information if you can avoid it.
Don't say "yes" to anything they ask.
Don't press anything they tell you to press.
Don't explain your reasons for not listening or replying.
E.G.
"Hello, I'm calling from [gobbledygood]. Am I speaking with [your name]?"
You: "Can I ask who is calling?"
"I am calling from [gobbledygood]. We are conducting a survey/offering solar roof panels/sending you an iPhone/charging you for blah blah/going to arrest you for tax evasion/closing your Amazon account unless you blah blah/etc. Can you confirm that your name is [your name]?"
You: "I am not interested. Goodbye."
HANG UP.
If you are genuinely concerned that the call might be genuine, confirm absolutely nothing but tell them to send a letter to the registered address. Like this: "I am not confirming any details. Please send appropriate communication to the registered address. Goodbye."
HANG UP.
Alternatively, confirm absolutely nothing but just note down the business name / organisation name and call them directly with the genuine phone number for customer service. Like this: "I am not confirming any details. I am hanging up now and will phone the company directly. Goodbye."
HANG UP.
Google the company/business name to get the genuine phone number if you don't already know it. Phone them. Explain that you just received a call purporting to be from them. Go through the whole rigmarole of explaining who you are and what the call might have been in relation to.
But do not - do not - DO NOT get any information from the cold caller/scammer, even if you think it will help you to cut to the chase. Don't get an account number or reference number. There is far too great a risk that you will inadvertently confirm or communicate additional personal details to the scammer. You can always get account numbers and reference numbers from the genuine company directly, even if it is convoluted.
Basic truth when it comes to engaging with scammers: the longer you engage, the more chance that you will give something away.
Second basic truth when it comes to engaging with scammers: never confirm anything to a cold caller. Not even your name.
Third basic truth when it comes to engaging with scammers: the word "yes" can be recorded in your voice, and used for access purposes. This is not such a big deal here in Australia at this time, but in the UK, for instance, it's already an issue. (Voiceprint access to accounts.) Avoid saying the word "yes". Don't answer the phone with "Yes?" or say something like "Yes, speaking." Answer with "Hello" or something of that sort... or even with "How may I direct your call?" Never answer a question by the cold caller; just turn it around with your own question if you're unsure. Don't be afraid to refuse to answer or to segue politely.
E.G.
Scammer or Cold Caller: "Is this [your name]?"
You: "Who is this speaking?" or similar
Scammer or Cold Caller: "This is blah blah. Is this [your name]/Can you confirm that you are [your name]?"
You: "I'm not interested. Goodbye."
Scammer or Cold Caller:: "But blah blah blah blah"
----- Nothing further. You've already hung up. It's not rude; you clearly indicated that you were not interested and that you were ending the conversation. Don't let the cold caller/scammer lure you into a longer conversation.
(Also... don't be lured into shouting, mocking, insulting, swearing, etc. Do you really want a person who has your phone number to become enraged and to pass on your details for a relentless surge of mass phoning? No, you do not. Disengage - without any further conversation.)
