How do you answer "what's your expected CTC" on the very first screening call?

Recruiter call, four minutes in, before I know anything about the scope or the team. "So what number are you looking at?"

I froze and said current plus a bit, which I regretted instantly because I have no idea whether that's under market for this role.

Do you give a range? Deflect and ask what's budgeted for the position? I keep reading that whoever says a number first loses, but that feels like advice written by people who already have leverage. Genuinely asking what has worked for people here.