Ah, telephone scams. You’ve undoubtedly heard about them before or perhaps were even approached by a scammer once, trying to get your personal information for their own benefit.
While phone scams such as people “from Microsoft” calling to fix a computer on your computer or if someone from your local bank needing your password and banking log-in details have been around for years, there’s a new ingenious scam going around that sounds a lot more genuine.
When you get a call from an unknown number and they ask “Can you hear me?”, hang up the phone immediately.
It might seem like just a simple question, right? You’ve probably heard it dozens of times with your family or friends on the phone with bad reception, but actually saying “yes” to a stranger can have some unwanted outcomes.
Instead of just answering the question, the correct way to answer is just by simply hanging up the phone, or if you want more clarification about the caller, respond with “Who are you?”.
In short, these criminals try to make you say “yes”, because in today’s digital society your voice can actually be abused for the wrong purposes. The scammer wants you to say “yes”, as the word gives permission to do or authorize something.
All phone calls are recorded by the scammers, and they can record you saying “yes” to verify purchases or authorize banking transactions on your behalf.
Surprisingly, just saying this single word can have a disastrous effect. The scammers can try and figure out what bank you’re at and try to make your accounts lighter. They try and combine the recording of the phone call with any other personal information they can find about you.
The well-known Better Business Bureau already received 62 complaints of people who were greeted by this scam on the telephone in Michigan alone. The scam was mostly popular with small business owners before, but consumers are now often targeted as well.
How to avoid the “Can you hear me” and related phone scams:
First of all, make a habit of not answering telephone calls with an unknown number or one you don’t recognize.
If you do talk to someone you don’t instantly recognize, avoid answering any type of yes/no question.
People from organizations or banks etc will never ask you for any personal information. Never tell sensitive information over the phone, as calls can be recorded.
If you feel suspicious about a recent phone call, check your banking statements for any red flags and change your password or telephone number, just to be sure.
Lastly, file a complaint with the BBB so that the authorities have a better insight on the scam method and give them a better chance to prevent and deal with it.
Not a fan of unsolicited calls? Register yourself to the National Do Not Call Registry from the FTC.
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Source: AWM, Cnet; featured image credit: BGR
