What to Say to Telemarketers: Polite Script to End Sales and Spam Calls
A calm script for ending telemarketing and spam calls: ask to be put on their do-not-call list, avoid sharing personal info, and hang up on robocalls. Plus a fun comeback generator.
Telemarketing calls are designed to keep you on the line. The fastest way out is a short, polite, firm script you can say without thinking.
Two rules matter most: never confirm personal or financial details to someone who called you, and don't press buttons or respond to robocalls. If a call claims to be your bank or a government agency, hang up and call back using the number on your card, statement, or the official website.
Want to have a bit of fun with it? Try our Telemarketer Comeback Generator for kind, silly lines at five levels of absurdity.
Try the Telemarketer Comeback Generator: kind, silly lines from polite-and-firm to full chaos, with a shuffle button.
What to have ready before you call
- Nothing! But it helps to know the name of the company calling, if they say it
- A note on your phone to log persistent callers (date, time, company)
- For US numbers: you can register at the National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov)
Fill-in blanks look like [this]. Use the script builder to fill them in once and get a clean, personalized copy.
The script, step by step
Your opening line
Say it once
I'm not interested, thank you.No reason needed. Reasons give them something to argue with.
Ask to be removed
Please add this number to your internal do-not-call list.Clear, specific request. Many legitimate sellers keep such a list.
Get the company name
What's the name of your company?Useful if you need to report repeat calls.
Don't share details
I don't give out personal information over the phone.Never confirm your name, address, date of birth, or account details to an unexpected caller.
End the call
Thank you. Goodbye.Then hang up. You don't need their permission.
If they push back: calm answers
These are things the other person might say. Read them now so nothing catches you off guard. You can rehearse them in practice mode.
Repeat, then end.
You don't owe an explanation.
A classic sign of a scam.
Then call the official number yourself.
After the call
- Block the number if your phone allows it.
- Log repeat callers with date, time, and company name.
- Report suspected scams to your country's consumer protection agency (for example, the FTC in the US).
- Turn on your carrier's or phone's spam filtering features.
Log names, times, and reference numbers as you go with the free Call Notepad and hold timer.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude to hang up?
No. A polite "not interested, goodbye" is enough.
Should I press 1 to be removed on a robocall?
It's generally safer not to interact with robocalls at all. Just hang up.
Does the Do Not Call Registry stop all calls?
No. In the US it reduces telemarketing calls from legitimate businesses, but some call types are exempt and scammers ignore it.
What if they claim I owe money?
Don't pay or share details on that call. Hang up and contact the organization through official channels to check.
Related call scripts
This script is general guidance written to be calm and practical. It is not legal, financial, or medical advice, and policies differ between companies and places. Read the disclaimer.