Community Chat

[Jamma]

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

[gidgetgh]

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

[Bri21]

Glad you didn't answer the phone...

[Quse]

There should be a "none of your business" option

[Venezia]

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.

[dex]

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.

[Annabellethecat66]

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.

[hoosieroriginal]

@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. 

[dooBdoo]

          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."

[Daysdee]

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.