WATCH: SA mountain climber answers spam call mid-climb
Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to Chris Johnston after a hilarious video went viral of him answering a spam call while climbing a mountain, more than 900 meters above the ground.
If there's anyone who truly understands the frustration of spam calls, it's South Africans.
Spam calls have become an increasing issue in South Africa, with residents receiving an excessive number of calls almost daily.
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A recent video shared on social media proved that "you truly can't escape telemarketers."
Mountaineer, filmmaker, adventurer, author, and ranger Josh Crickmay posted a video on Instagram showing his friend answering a call from a telemarketer mid-mountain climb.
Hanging from the side of a mountain, the video shows Chris Johnston answering his phone while metres from the ground, with nothing but landscape views around him.
While most people (in a normal setting) would immediately lose their temper and even hang up, Johnston handled the situation with humour and grace.
If you saw where I am, darling, my premium would be incredibly high.
Before ending the call, the mountain climber politely declines the offer and greets the person on the phone.
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"I'm going to have to respectfully decline the opportunity. Thank you very much though."
Watch here:
The video has garnered more than 350,000 views and 26,000 likes.
South Africans were in stitches over the absurd moment but also applauded the man for his patience and kindness.
How to stop getting spam calls in South Africa
1. Opt Out Through DMASA:
Add your number to the Do Not Contact Registry managed by the Direct Marketing Association of South Africa (DMASA). This will stop their member organisations from sending you marketing communications.
To register, visit the DMASA website or send an SMS with "BLOCK" to 40662, as instructed by the registry.
2. Use call-blocking applications:
Install apps like Truecaller, Hiya, or RoboKiller to detect and block spam calls.
These tools can identify known telemarketers and suspicious numbers, and some can even warn you about possible spam from unknown callers.
3. Turn on built-in call blocking features:
Many smartphones offer built-in settings to filter or block unwanted calls.
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On iPhones, go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers.
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On Samsung devices, open the Phone app, then navigate to Call Blocking and Identification.
4. Report unwanted calls:
Notify your mobile service provider or the Information Regulator when you receive spam calls.
Reporting helps build a case against persistent offenders and enhances efforts to stop such activities.
5. Protect your personal information:
Limit the amount of personal contact information you share online, especially when using public Wi-Fi.
Always read privacy policies and review app permission requests carefully before signing up or installing new services.
6. Keep yourself updated:
Stay informed about new laws and updates on spam control and data protection.
The Information Regulator enforces the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), ensuring your rights as a consumer are safeguarded.
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Images: Instagram/ Screenshot