Unfortunately, people have jobs where they don't know every number that might call them before hand, so as part of being responsive clients, pick up.

Until we hunt telemarketers for sport, this will not stop being a miserable experience.

Well, clearly they must be selling something to someone to keep the lights on...

Obviously. According to the FTC, millions and millions of dollars worth of worthless car warranties, fake fraud protection, scam legal protection services, and fraudulent pharmaceutical benefit services, just to start with.

Gotta keep those lights on...because they're just marks and screw them if they fall for it amiright /s.

Canada has a lot of issues with spam calls. Something systemic compared to the US - it shows up in DBIR and cybercrime stats.

Point is, at this point I don't even bother answering unknown numbers. If it's important they'll leave a voicemail or text me

I do, because I have no idea who needs to call me at any given time, but now I have to just say 'hello' repeatedly and nothing else until they tell me who they are so they can't sample my voice.