Note from New Canaan Editor: "Last week I read about this happening locally, so I thought it would be interesting to post about what to do. If you are in any doubt about your caller, simply hang up."
There is a new phone scam, First you receive a call from someone who asks “Can you hear me?” The point is to get you to say “Yes.” The reality is that the “person” could be a robocall recording your conversation.… Your “Yes” answer can later be edited to make it sound like you authorized a major purchase.
The Better Business Bureao is offering consumers the following advice:
- Use Caller ID to screen calls, and consider not even answering unfamiliar numbers. If it’s important, they will leave a message and you can call back.
- If someone calls and asks “Can you hear me?”, do NOT answer “yes.” Just hang up. Scammers change their tactics as the public catches on, so be alert for other questions designed to solicit a simple “yes” answer.
- Make a note of the number and report it to bbb.org/scamtracker to help warn others. BBB also shares Scam Tracker information with government and law enforcement agencies, so every piece of information is helpful in tracking down scammers.
- Consider joining the Do Not Call Registry (DoNotCall.gov) to cut down on telemarketing and sales calls. This may not help with scammers since they don’t bother to pay attention to the law, but you’ll get fewer calls overall. That may help you more quickly notice the ones that could be fraudulent.
- Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges. It’s also a good idea to check your telephone and cell phone bills, as well. Scammers may be using the “Yes” recording of your voice to authorize charges on your phone. This is called “cramming” and it’s illegal.
For more information:
Report scams to BBB Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker).
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