Voicemail templates for 28 common calls

Copy a template, fill in the blanks, and read it when the beep comes. Every template follows the same simple formula: who you are, why you called, what you need, and your number.

Voicemail makes many people freeze because nobody is responding to you. Writing the message in advance removes the improvisation. Read our voicemail guide for the full formula, then use the template for your call below.

Money & bills

Cancel a subscription

Hi, this is [your name], calling about my account under [account email]. I'm calling to cancel my subscription. Please call me back at [your phone number], or if this can be processed from this message, please send confirmation to [account email]. Thank you.

Full cancel a subscription script

Cancel a gym membership

Hi, this is [your name], member number [member number] at the [location] location. I'm calling to cancel my membership effective [date]. Please call me back at [your phone number] to confirm, and I'll also send this request in writing. Thank you.

Full cancel a gym membership script

Dispute a charge

Hi, this is [your name]. I'm calling about a charge I'd like to dispute on my card ending in [last 4 digits]. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full dispute a charge script

Negotiate your internet or phone bill

Hi, this is [your name], account [account number]. I'm calling to review my plan and see if there are options to lower my monthly bill. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full negotiate your internet or phone bill script

Lower your credit card interest rate

Hi, this is [your name], calling about my card ending in [last 4 digits]. I'd like to talk about my account's interest rate. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full lower your credit card interest rate script

Ask for a late fee waiver

Hi, this is [your name], account [account number]. I'm calling about a late fee on my account and would like to see if it can be reviewed. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full ask for a late fee waiver script

Question a medical bill

Hi, this is [your name], calling about account [account number] for services on [date of service]. I have some questions about the bill and would like to request an itemized statement. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full question a medical bill script

Set up a payment plan

Hi, this is [your name], calling about account [account number]. I'd like to discuss setting up a payment plan. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full set up a payment plan script

Follow up on an insurance claim

Hi, this is [your name], calling about claim number [claim number]. I'm checking on the status and whether anything else is needed from me. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full follow up on an insurance claim script

Health & appointments

Book a doctor appointment

Hi, my name is [your name], date of birth [date of birth]. I'd like to schedule an appointment for [reason for visit]. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full book a doctor appointment script

Call in sick to work

Hi [manager's name], it's [your name]. I'm sick today and won't be able to come in. [Coworker] can help with [urgent task], and I'll update you by [time] tomorrow. Thanks.

Full call in sick to work script

Reschedule or cancel an appointment

Hi, this is [your name]. I have an appointment on [day, date] at [time] and I need to [reschedule / cancel] it. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you, and sorry for any inconvenience.

Full reschedule or cancel an appointment script

Call the pharmacy

Hi, this is [your name], date of birth [date of birth], calling about a prescription for [medication name]. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full call the pharmacy script

Book a first therapy appointment

Hi, my name is [your name]. I'm looking to start therapy and I'm interested in a first appointment. I'm available [general availability]. You can reach me at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full book a first therapy appointment script

Work & career

Follow up on a job application

Hi, my name is [your name]. I applied for the [job title] position on [date applied] and wanted to follow up and express my continued interest. I can be reached at [your phone number]. Thank you, and have a great day.

Full follow up on a job application script

Answer a recruiter phone screen

Hi [recruiter name], this is [your name] returning your call about the [job title] role. I'm interested and available [times]. You can reach me at [your phone number]. Thanks!

Full answer a recruiter phone screen script

Ask someone to be a reference

Hi [their name], it's [your name] from our time at [company]. I'm applying for new roles and would love to ask you something. Could you give me a call back at [your phone number] when you have a few minutes? Thanks so much.

Full ask someone to be a reference script

Decline a job offer

Hi [their name], it's [your name]. I'm calling about the offer for the [job title] role. I'd appreciate a quick call back at [your phone number] when you're free. Thanks so much.

Full decline a job offer script

Home & renting

Ask your landlord for a repair

Hi [landlord's name], this is [your name] from [unit/address]. I'm calling to report [problem] that started around [date]. I'll also send details and photos in writing. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full ask your landlord for a repair script

Negotiate your rent renewal

Hi [landlord's name], it's [your name] from [unit/address]. I received the renewal notice and I'd like to talk about it. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full negotiate your rent renewal script

Get a contractor quote

Hi, my name is [your name]. I'm looking for a quote on [job description] in [city/area]. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full get a contractor quote script

Set up utilities when moving

Hi, my name is [your name]. I'm moving and need to [start / stop / transfer] service at [address] on [date]. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full set up utilities when moving script

Customer service

Request a refund

Hi, this is [your name], calling about order [order number]. I'd like to request a refund for an item that [problem]. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full request a refund script

Complain and ask for a supervisor

Hi, this is [your name], calling about [issue], reference number [reference number]. I'd like to speak with a supervisor about resolving this. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full complain and ask for a supervisor script

Track a missing package

Hi, this is [your name], calling about order [order number]. Tracking shows delivered on [date], but I haven't received it. Please call me back at [your phone number]. Thank you.

Full track a missing package script

Everyday calls

Call your child's school

Hi, this is [your name], parent of [child's name] in [grade/class]. [Child's name] will be absent today, [date], due to [reason]. Please call me at [your phone number] if you need anything. Thank you.

Full call your child's school script

Return a missed call

Hi, this is [your name], returning a call from this number. You can reach me at [your phone number]. Thanks.

Full return a missed call script

Call a friend you haven't talked to in a while

Hi [friend's name], it's [your name]! I was thinking about you and wanted to say hi. Call me back whenever you're free at [your phone number], no rush.

Full call a friend you haven't talked to in a while script

Frequently asked questions

What should a voicemail include?

Your name, the reason for your call in one sentence, what you'd like them to do, and your phone number said slowly and repeated.

How long should a voicemail be?

Short is best, usually under 30 seconds.

Should I leave account numbers in a voicemail?

Leave only what's needed to identify your request. Avoid sharing sensitive details like full card numbers or passwords.