If the call was from a legitimate source, they would (most likely) have left a message on your answering device or voicemail.
If the call was from a scammer, calling back merely did one or more of the following:
* Verified your phone number, and that it would be answered by a human.
* Possibly incurred international calling charges (some scammers are located in Jamaica [876] and other overseas locations)
* Bothered somebody not associated with the scam - scammers can spoof what you see on the Caller ID!
* If the call was from a telemarketer, your call to them could be interpreted as starting a "business relationship", so the telemarketer could legally continue to call you!
* Added your phone number to a list that is sold or shared among scammers of various types, so even more would try to call you.
* And, if you argued with the caller, or otherwise irritated them, they might decide to spoof YOUR number in future calls, so YOU would get irate callbacks from other people.
Instead of calling back, either ignore the call or get a call blocker to prevent further calls from that number! (Remember, the DNC list can stop or limit calls from legitimate telemarketers ... but not from telescum).
Want more information? You may have been exposed to one of the scams described here:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/facts_rev.html
(Remember to return to 800notes.com after you visit that page)
There is something you can do. Several of the wise posters on here suggest a call blocker for landlines and cells have numerous blocking options and apps. I'd suggest shutting down any answering device and completely ignore all unknown numbers. It takes time and patience, but your volume of junk calls will gradually decrease. I was getting hammered daily on my landline, however, I quit answering and turned my machine off last year. I don't get many junk calls at all anymore.