Your phone rings. You check the ID and it’s an unknown number. You risk it and pick up the phone. Only to find a TELEMARKETER on the other end. How can you get off the phone gracefully? Here’s all you need to know about those dreaded telemarketing calls, courtesy of Real Simple magazine.

Kimberly King, president of InterWeave Corporation, a customer-service consulting firm, says a polite “Thanks, I’m not interested” is your best response. King says the caller will probably come back with a reason why this will benefit you, or a probing question, like “Are you aware this’ll cut your insurance bill in HALF?” So, thank the person AGAIN, letting them know once more that you’re not interested. Don’t let them prattle on.

NEVER explain or volunteer anything. Telemarketers work from a script, and they have responses to all sorts of customer objections – or “soft no’s” as they call them. For example, saying another family member needs to make the decision will only lead to, “What time will he be in? Can I call back then? Finally, ask to be taken OFF the calling list, but make sure you wait for the telemarketer to do it before you hang up. That extra minute is worth it.