Law enforcement agencies around the country are warning people of a new phone scam that is being called the “can you hear me” phone scam.
Here’s how it works. You receive a phone call, sometimes from a local area code. The person or automated caller will introduce themselves and their business. Then they will ask “can you hear me”? Most people will say yes to the question, but that is exactly what the scammers want you to say.
Police say the scammers may record your “yes” response. The Better Business Bureau has documented one such scam, where the criminals may pretend to be from a cruise line or home security company and will later bill you for products or services you never asked for.
If you try to deny the charges, the scammers will playback your verbal confirmation “yes” and threaten to take legal action if you don’t pay.
In another variation, scammers may use the recording to authorize charges on a stolen credit card or with a utility company by tricking an automated system, according to CBS News. The con artists may have already stolen other personal information through a data breach that would allow them to pass the security checks.
Tips from police: