The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about a growing phone scam that begins with a simple question: "Can you hear me?" This seemingly innocent query is the hallmark of a scheme designed to trick you into saying "yes," potentially leading to unauthorized charges or further fraudulent activity.
How the Scam Works
According to the BBB, scammers initiate a call from an unknown number and ask a question like "Can you hear me?" or "Are you there?" to prompt a "yes" response. They may pretend to be a government official or bank representative to keep you on the line, but often hang up shortly after you confirm. The goal is to capture your affirmative response, which could be recorded and used to authorize charges on your phone bill—a practice known as "cramming." Alternatively, the scammer may continue contacting you, attempting to catch you off guard in future conversations.
Kelly Richmond Pope, a forensic accounting professor at DePaul University, notes that such an opening is suspicious because it deviates from normal conversational patterns. "It's so outside of the typical conversational cycle," she said.
Expert Opinions on the Threat
While the BBB highlights the risk of recorded "yes" responses being misused, Amy Nofziger of the AARP Fraud Watch Network urges caution without panic. She states that there is no evidence from AARP databases linking a simple "yes" to direct monetary fraud. "Nobody in here is saying, 'I lost $50,000,' in a supposed 'can you hear me?' scam," she said. Instead, she emphasizes that impostor or gift card scams are far more likely to cause significant financial harm.
When to Be Concerned
Nofziger advises that if the caller continues beyond the initial question and requests personal information, cryptocurrency ATM deposits, or prepaid gift cards, it is "100% a scam." The real danger lies not in the single word but in the subsequent conversation.
Steps to Protect Yourself
If you receive a "can you hear me?" call from an unknown number, follow these expert recommendations:
- Stay calm. Panic leads to poor decisions. Take a breath and assess the situation before reacting.
- Don't answer "yes." Instead, ask "Why do you ask?" to regain control of the conversation.
- Be wary even if they know your name. Scammers can obtain personal details from public records or social media to build familiarity.
- Don't engage. Let unknown calls go to voicemail. If it's important, they will leave a message.
- Monitor your accounts. Review bills and credit card statements for unauthorized charges. If fraud is suspected, file a complaint with your local attorney general's office.
- Contact your bank proactively. If you're concerned about compromised information, reach out to your financial institutions for guidance on mitigating risk.
Conclusion
The "can you hear me?" scam is a reminder to remain vigilant when answering calls from unknown numbers. While saying "yes" alone may not lead to immediate loss, it can open the door to further exploitation. By staying calm and taking control of the conversation, you can protect yourself from potential fraud.
