A method and apparatus for operating a device when a user does not answer a call is provided herein. During operation a wake word for the device is identified as a user's call sign (a combination of identifying letters, letters and numbers, or words assigned to an officer for use in communication (as in the address of a message sent by radio). The call sign does not comprise a sender or receiver's actual name. When a device detects the wake word as an over-the-air transmission, the device will determine if a user answered the call. If not, sensor data will be provided to the caller and a digital assistant will periodically remind the user of the unanswered call.