Never Answer to These 4 Words on a Phone Call

Imagine answering a phone call and a friendly voice asks, “Can you hear me?” It sounds harmless enough, right? Wrong! This seemingly innocent question has become a new weapon in the arsenal of scammers. Phone scams are skyrocketing, putting millions at risk of having their money and identities swiped by crafty criminals. Let’s dive into the details of this tricky phone scam — and how you can protect yourself.

So how does this scam work? It starts with that simple question designed to catch you off guard: “Can you hear me?” The goal? To get you to say “yes.” Scammers want to record that single word.

Once they have it, they can use your voice to unlock online accounts, authorize payments, or even steal your identity. All they need to do is play your recorded “yes” to confirm a login, make a purchase or agree to a service.

Why This Scam Packs a Punch

Phone scams generally aim to do two things: gather personal information to impersonate you, and convince you to hand over money. This scam packs an extra punch by playing on our natural instincts. When someone asks, “Can you hear me?” most people instinctively respond without a second thought.

That’s the trick — scammers rely on this split-second reaction.

Cybersecurity expert Matthew Shirley warns that this scam gets even more frightening when it employs chatbots and artificial intelligence (AI). These days, AI technology can mimic human speech so convincingly that it becomes tough to tell the difference between a real person and a machine. In some versions of the scam, the call kicks off with a line like, “Sorry, I’m having issues with my headset,” to make you think a human sits on the other end of the line.

What can scammers do with a recording of you saying “yes”? More than you’d like to imagine. They could authorize payments, access sensitive information, or sign you up for unwanted services. In today’s remote and digital world, a simple “yes” can become the key that unlocks a whole lot of trouble.

How to Outsmart the Scammers

You don’t need to fall victim to this sneaky scheme. Here’s how to stay a step ahead:

• Don’t Answer Unknown Numbers: Let calls from unfamiliar numbers go to voicemail. No one likes spam calls anyway.
• Avoid Saying “Yes”: If you do answer, skip the “yes.” Try asking, “Who’s calling?” or hang up without engaging.
• Stay Skeptical: If a caller asks for authorization or payment, proceed with caution. Scammers love to pose as banks, government agencies, or other official organizations.
• Use Call-Blocking Services: Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry and use a call-blocking app. Many carriers offer security apps to block those pesky unknown calls.

If you’ve already fallen for the scam and said “yes,” take action right away:

• Secure Your Accounts: Change passwords on sensitive accounts and enable two-factor authentication.
• Keep an Eye on Your Finances: Monitor your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized charges.
• Report the Scam: File a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Share the scammer’s phone number to help them track and block illegal callers.

Stay One Step Ahead

Scammers constantly evolve their tactics, always looking for the next way to catch you off guard. The “Can you hear me?” scam serves as a reminder to stay vigilant and protect your information.

If that four-word question rings in your ear, just remember: Silence is key, and a simple hang-up could save you a world of trouble.

References: If You Hear This 4-Word Phrase When You Pick Up the Phone, Hang Up Immediately | Don’t say yes when caller asks ‘Can you hear me now?’