If someone calls you (you don't recognize the number), and they don't leave a voicemail, do you return the call?

I ignore them.

I'm thinking 99.5% don't return the call. After all, chances are poor it's anything other than a robocall, and then all you're doing is confirming your number for them.

But a few years ago when I'd misdialed, reasonably often I'd get a call back almost immediately with the person whose number I'd accidentally called, wanting to know why I'd called. I'd never do that but some did. Back then anyway.

As someone posted above, you can do an Internet search to see if the number is reported as a spammer/scammer. But those people spoof numbers, so it could be a real person's residence, who does not know that a spammer is using it as a spoof.

If you answer a call from a spammer/scammer, they are likely to sell your number to other telemarketers/scammers/scammers, as someone who answers their phone. You will get a LOT more calls. So don't answer.

If you cannot help yourself, answer and say, "POLICE department, dispatch desk."

Good grief! No! I add them to my block list, but who knows what number is actually getting blocked. My phone is set so that those on my contact list have a particular ringtone. If my phone is across the room and it rings, I know from the ringtone whether to bother even looking at my phone or not. And if it's an important call, they'll leave a message and I'll call them back. I do get messages about "my" student loans, credit cards, or whatever, but those are easy to delete.

I IGNORE CALLS FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS...STRANGERS ARENT GETTING ANY PLAY.

No, ignore.

oh hell no,
blocked after the 1st call broseph

I Google the number first and, if nothing is revealed, I'll call them 9 times out of 10. It's good to know who the spam callers are so I can save the number as spam and reject it when they call through - I personally find this better than blocking the number and having them continue to try me on other numbers.