A sophisticated and alarming telephone scam is making waves across Canada, preying on unsuspecting residents with a simple but dangerous question: "Can you hear me?"
How This Deceptive Scam Operates
Scammers are placing automated calls to potential victims, posing as representatives from legitimate companies. When you answer, they ask what seems like an innocent question: "Can you hear me?" or "Are you there?" The moment you respond with "Yes," they've captured exactly what they need.
These criminals record your affirmative response and use it to authorize unauthorized charges or create fake agreements. They may combine your recorded "yes" with other personal information they've gathered to make fraudulent transactions appear legitimate.
Why This Scam Is Particularly Dangerous
Unlike traditional phishing attempts, this scam requires minimal interaction from the victim. The psychological trick is clever - when someone asks if you can hear them, the natural, polite response is to say "yes." This instinct makes the scam effective across all demographics.
What makes this approach particularly concerning is how scammers can manipulate recorded consent. They might edit your "yes" into a different conversation or use it to "verify" unauthorized purchases and services.
Protective Measures Every Canadian Should Take
Be suspicious of unknown numbers: If you don't recognize the caller, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate callers will leave a message.
Never confirm personal information: If you do answer and the caller asks to confirm your name, address, or other details, decline and hang up.
Avoid simple yes/no answers: If faced with a "Can you hear me?" question, respond with "Who is calling?" or simply hang up.
Register with the National Do Not Call List: While scammers often ignore this, it can reduce legitimate telemarketing calls.
Monitor your accounts regularly: Check bank and credit card statements frequently for unauthorized charges.
What to Do If You Suspect You've Been Targeted
If you believe you've encountered this scam, take immediate action. Hang up without providing any additional information. Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your local police. Contact your bank and credit card companies to flag your accounts for suspicious activity.
Remember that legitimate companies rarely initiate contact in this manner. If you're uncertain about a call claiming to be from a business you use, hang up and call the company directly using the official number from their website or your billing statement.
Staying informed and vigilant is your best defense against these evolving telephone scams targeting Canadians.
