Actually I bet if they asked the question it would only be around 97%...

I have not answered unknown call numbers by using my voice for about ten years now. I start muted or I whistle to see if a spammer is on the other end, but mostly I simply let them go to voicemail, then block and report the caller. It was clear for many years now that voice prints would be a useful thing to spammers or other adversaries and I certainly don’t want to pair my phone number with a voice print on a random machine. I have probably lost a couple reminders from dr offices, especially in recent years when people started using automated call systems, but things feel simpler than a decade ago when the spam load was unbearable.

For a lot of people (like me and everyone in my friend group), close to 100% of calls from unknown numbers are scam calls.

I think many people also don’t think someone they don’t know has the right to speak to them just because they have their phone number.

Many people receive calls from legit, unfamiliar numbers maybe once a month.

Meanwhile, I receive half a dozen spam calls on some days.

So logically for me, it makes little sense to respond to unknown numbers. I presume the OP is in the same boat.

I don't wanna make assumptions, but this sounds like you're probably not American. Americans are completely inundated with spam calls every day. It is hard for me as a European to imagine this kind of life, but that's what it is like for them.

As a result, I as a European cannot fathom how one can even live a life with a phone in America, while for Americans it's unfathomable that we would actually use our phones as phones by answering calls.

I only answer an unknown number if very particular circumstances (from the area code I live in which is far from the area code of my phone) - otherwise, it goes to voicemail and if important I will call back.

Otherwise it’s all about my extended warranties and other scams.