Yes I don't see the problem answering private number calls ,I've had a few when selling on Gumtree and just ask them for their number so you can message details back.
If you get a time waster on a private number I just hang up .
The thing is there are people who won't answer a call from a private number ,I've even seen a few ads on Gumtree and the sellers say that private numbers won't be answered but as you say they could miss a call from a Doctor or a Hospital.
Another phone scam is when someone rings your phone so it rings once and hangs up before you answer , then if you ring back it's a high priced number that you receive an excessive bill for.
I saw a show the other day where scammers in India were making $20,000 a day ,all from people who weren't very tech savvy but the governments have now arrested them so it looks like it's not a good time for scammers ,I just don't understand why the governments have let them get away with it for so long,
