topic Re: Just Got A Strange Call in Community Chat

Just Got A Strange Call

Jamma — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:09:56 GMT

It came up on the TV as Service Call and a bunch of numbers. I don't answer the phone unless 0I know the number.

They left the following message: "Answer yes or no, did you vote in the Presidential election".

Thought of a post here a week or so ago never say Yes on these calls.

Jamma

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

gidgetgh — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:11:47 GMT

I sure wouldn't respond to that one. If I happened to answer, I'd hang up.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

Bri21 — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:12:37 GMT

Glad you didn't answer the phone...

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

Quse — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:13:49 GMT

There should be a "none of your business" option

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

Venezia — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:17:52 GMT

I also never answer calls from numbers I don't recognize. And I'd never answer a question like that anyway, whether it was a person or a robocall. NOYDB comes to mind! Scams abound.

Sometimes though, we all get caught off-guard. True story: a few years ago, when I had lost my long-time job, I had applied with some agencies and for some positions, etc., so it made it harder to vet each number.

I was at breakfast with a friend at a noisy diner when my phone rang. Without thinking, I answered it and this "nice" man's voice said something about a job. I asked him to repeat what he said and it was something like "I'm calling about that job you applied for. Do you remember?"

And suddenly the penny dropped. I've never put my cell phone number on any job application and the local news had mentioned a current scam of this type. I won't tell you what I shouted down the phone to this jerk, but it ended with "You ought to be ashamed of yourself! You're disgusting!"

He hung up. (My friend burst out laughing!) Sadly, we all have to remain vigilant now.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

dex — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:20:20 GMT

I have been getting a lot of calls lately too.There must be a whole new and fresh group of scammers on the rise.I think it is great that we have caller ID and can just let them ring all they want but never get the opportunity to give us their pitch.I feel sorry for those who are the victims of this and there must still be many judging by the recent rise in calls at my house.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:23:27 GMT

I get those too. I have a phone that has a button called BLOCK CALL. I simply push that button and it asks me if I want to block call and I push YES and they can not get through ever again.

I can easily unblock any calls I want to. I recommend everyone to get one. Google here block call phone on the forum. We've all talked about this phone and a lot of people own it.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

hoosieroriginal — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:24:40 GMT

@Jamma - oh,don't answer that - it has been on the news here that people call and pretend not to hear you and say "can you hear me?" As soon as you say "yes" they record that "yes" and get you for agreeing to some sort of contract - then they take you to court for not paying for (subscription or other contract) they can prove you said "yes" to.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

dooBdoo — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:40:17 GMT

This is the latest hoax. The news has been filled with warnings about the calls which ask if you can hear the caller. Now it's expanding to other seemingly innocent questions... all trying to get us to answer "Yes." It's a good reminder not to answer at all -- do not even pick up the phone -- if you don't recognize the caller ID number.

Excerpt from one BBB article:

"The "Can You Hear Me?" scam has long been used to coerce businesses into purchasing office supplies and directory ads they never actually ordered, but now it's targeting individual consumers, as well.

For the last few days of January and continuing in February, more than half of the reports to BBB Scam Tracker have been about that one scam.

Consumers say the calls are about vacation packages, cruises, warranties, and other big ticket items.

So far, none have reported money loss, but its unclear how the scams will play out over time, or if the targets will be victimized at a later date.

Here's how it works:

You get a call from someone who almost immediately asks "Can you hear me?"

Their goal is to get you to answer "Yes," which most people would do instinctively in that situation.

There may be some fumbling around; the person may even say something like "I'm having trouble with my headset."

But in fact, the "person" may just be a robocall recording your conversation, and that "Yes" answer you gave can later be edited to make it sound like you authorized a major purchase.

BBB 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 will 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."

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

Daysdee — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:34:24 GMT

Recently I've been getting that call too (3 times lately) where a woman with a "perky" voice first acts surprised I answered and then says she is having trouble with her headset and asks if I can hear her. I just hang up and try not to answer phone unless I recognize the number. Sometimes if I am expecting a call that is important I do answer because I'm not sure about the number. Try to be aware not to give a "yes" answer to anything.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

conlt — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:35:42 GMT

I saw a similar story on the news. They ask you a question and get you on tape saying "yes", then they use that to set you up on something that you have to pay for. So they have you on tape agreeing. So low. I am worried my 91 year old mother might get sucked in. She will not remember not to say yes and she is obsessed with the phone.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

SharkE — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 15:44:50 GMT

not even safe from scams in your own home. Go on vacation and they come after you with time share come ons. Branson, Missouri is horrible about hitting you up . will give you free show tickets if you'll listen to their sales spiel for hr or 2. drove us nuts.

Florida, is bad , also.

I got Call Blocker unit from HSN, takes care of my nuisance calls.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

hckynut — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 06:37:52 GMT

@hoosieroriginal

It is illegal in some states to record conversations without having the consent of both parties. I would hope an edited conversation with the 2nd party saying only the word "yes", would be found illegal by a court and/or judge would and punish those foolish enough to bring this to court in any of the states where you need a 2 party consent to record a conversation.

I would love someone to take me to court in 1 of those states. Unfortunately, the state in which I live is not a 2 consent state.

hckynut(john)

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

dooBdoo — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 16:52:40 GMT

hckynut wrote:

@hoosieroriginal

It is illegal in some states to record conversations without having the consent of both parties. I would hope an edited conversation with the 2nd party saying only the word "yes", would be found illegal by a court and/or judge would and punish those foolish enough to bring this to court in any of the states where you need a 2 party consent to record a conversation.

I would love someone to take me to court in 1 of those states. Unfortunately, the state in which I live is not as 2 consent state.

hckynut(john)

One of the problems is the fact that more often than not the callers are in other countries and sometimes are difficult or impossible to locate and prosecute.

It really is a dreadful shame we can't trust incoming calls now. I feel so bad for those who fall prey to these scum-of-the-earth con artists and their sophisticated, recorded robo-call hoaxes.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

circles — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 17:09:36 GMT

My sister was expecting a call so when her phone rang...and she wasn't near her t.v. to see the number..picked it up and got tricked into saying YES to the man...I forget why she engaged in conversation but when she realized what she did...she hung up...and now is worried sick what might happen to her...

Its trully a shame we pay our own phone bills....but we are at risk of answering our phones because of the evilness out there...putting our phone numbers on the do not call list is a waste of time they still get through...

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 17:31:46 GMT

Here's the phone and handsets. You get all of them. It has a button that says, "BLOCK CALL" right on it.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

Kachina624 — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 22:47:20 GMT

@dooBdoo Surely the almighty BBB knows, as does everyone who's used it, that the Do Not Call list is a federally funded joke. It never stops anyone from calling and soliciting.

I understand the "Let's Fleece Americans" movement started in Africa, moved to India, and has recently gained momentum in the Philippines. All these countries have a huge unlimited unskilled work force all ready to go. Brace yourselves.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

skuggles — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 22:51:17 GMT

I've received the "Service Calls" a few times myself. I file a report with the FCC , because I am on the do not call list. Mine have stopped for now at least.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

dooBdoo — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 23:12:42 GMT

Kachina624 wrote:
@dooBdoo Surely the almighty BBB knows, as does everyone who's used it, that the Do Not Call list is a federally funded joke. It never stops anyone from calling and soliciting.

I understand the "Let's Fleece Americans" movement started in Africa, moved to India, and has recently gained momentum in the Philippines. All these countries have a huge unlimited unskilled work force all ready to go. Brace yourselves.

They realize it has limited use. It's worth it to register, because it stops the legitimate businesses. Without registering, you have to formally opt out of all those places, individually... with the DNC Registry, it's done in one step. But I agree, limited use is the key. The FCC shouldn't be so restricted, but I think we know where (and by whom) their policies are set. In addition, we still have the problem of those criminals you mention. When they fake their location and phone numbers, and they're located all over the globe, it's like whack-a-mole trying to find them and prosecute. I have no idea what the answer is.

Re: Just Got A Strange Call

beach-mom — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 23:11:12 GMT

Some sweet poster here told me about "NOMOROBO." It has made a HUGE difference in our lives! And I've even stopped picking up calls that say "private caller." I've answered that a few times only to get an iYogi computer technician wanting me to get a warranty. The numbers important to me have names and numbers, and as far as I'm concerned, anyone else can leave a message!