We have a blocked phone number.  Not that we need a blocked number, but when we first moved in we used to get phone calls from computers in the middle of the night (probably polling the register or something) and short of changing our number, all we could do was block our number & block any unlisted number calling in (same service).  Which of course means that when I want to call out, I need to remember to unblock the number so people will recognize the number and actually answer the phone.

Needless to say, imputing all those numbers often leads to mis-dials.  No biggie, I either hang up when the voice mail kicks in and I’ve realized I made a mistake or if someone should answer I give a quick “sorry, wrong number.”  It happens.  We all do it.  Nothing to be ashamed of.

My question to you though, is do you call back the missed call or hang up that you might get? Me, if I see a number I don’t recognize and there’s no voice mail, I just assume it was a wrong number and carry on with my day.  Again, it happens.

Today though, while lying on the couch trying to deflect rest off a migraine that hadn’t yet fully developed (was avoiding meds since I’m not a fan of how they tend to wipe me out) a guy that I’d accidently called and hung up at his voicemail called me back.

It went something like this…

Me: Hello?

Him: Who is this?

Me: Um, it’s Kat, who is this?

Him: I show that someone called me from this number.

Me: Yes, I misdialed.

Him: Oh.

Me: Bye.

Was he really that important that he’d think that anyone that calls him obviously wants to speak with him so badly that they don’t leave a message or call back, so that he must call them back to find out what they wanted? Why?  Really, who does this?   And what’s with the attitude?  If you’re in the type of business where you need to call back those missed calls how about “this is So&So, I had a missed call from this number” NOT “who is this?”

The only time I’ll call someone back when they don’t leave a message is with my friends or family since they probably felt that it wasn’t worth leaving a message.  Not with unknown numbers or strangers. Though I did call the financing department of a dealership once to let them know that they called the wrong number.  And another time I called back an old lady that was trying to get a company to stop charging her.  In both cases, I figured they’d want to know that they’d left messages that wouldn’t be received by the party they wanted to reach.

I remember during my pre-wedding days in Vegas with my friends before the actual wedding day.  I was trying to call my friend’s cell, but I apparently had the number wrong (and might have accidentally, if not drunkenly, called a couple of times during my 5-day stay)….

Me: Hi, is Matt there?

Her: Who is this? (in a rude tone)

Me: It’s Kat, may I speak to Matt?

Her: Who are you?

Me: Um, is this 555-5555?

Her: Who are you?

Me: Is Matt there?

Her: Tell me who you are.

Me: Um, I’m looking for my friend Matt, is this 555-5555?

No: Who are you and how did you get this number?

Me: Sorry, this must be the wrong number *click*

Not that I’d know if it was the right or wrong number since she wouldn’t answer the simple question of 1) if there was indeed a Matt there and 2) if I had actually dialed the right number (turns out I forgot the area code…did I mention this was mere days before my wedding and alcohol might have been involved?!?!).  But really, what was with the attitude?  I couldn’t be calling for her man if his name wasn’t Matt (and I’m assuming it wasn’t since she didn’t react to the name itself).  And honestly, do you need to know who I am and how I got your number if 1) I’m not calling for you or anyone at your number, 2) I was obviously a wrong number and 3) if she had caller ID she could see that it was an out of area call?  People are just weird with their phones.

So how do you handle wrong numbers? Do you just hang up on them (as the caller or the receiver)?  Do you apologize?  Do you try to track down any missed calls that didn’t leave a message?  What’s the scoop?