Here is the scenario: an unknown number calls a potential victim asking "can you hear me?" When the receiver says "yes," the scammer would use that recorded voice to pay credit card charges and other bills. Police has been warning cellphone users against this new scam that has been circulating all over the US.
Virginia Police warns of "can you hear me?" phone scam
This scam has been reported to the police in Pennsylvania and Florida in the past few years, and now Police in Virginia has started to warn its cellphone users as well, CBS reported. Scammers use this question to get the cellphone user to say "yes." After that, the scammer would record the answer and use it to pay for various charges.
The scammer may have already collected the cellphone user's phone number, credit card number, and other information, and the only thing left to obtain is the victim's precious "yes." If the victim disputes the bills that were paid, the scammers can easily use the recorded "yes" to prove confirmation. This is how the victims get charged even without providing payment methods.
How to avoid the scam and what can victims do?
Consumer Federation of America consumer protection director Susan Grant said hanging up the phone is the best strategy, no matter how impolite it may be, Good Housekeeping reported. "Can you hear me?" is just the latest variation of the question that scammers use. They also use other questions answerable by "Yes," such as "do you pay bills?" and "are you the homeowner?"
Since the scam is quite simple, the steps to avoid it are also simple. First is to not answer phone calls from unfamiliar numbers. Second is to not give away personal information, this includes confirming your number over the cellphone. Finally, do not answer important questions over phone calls.
If the call is suspicious, it would be best to notify the authorities right away. People who have received the call and answered "yes" must monitor their credit card, cable, and phone bills. Victims should call their billing companies to dispute any payments that were not authorized. Victims can approach the Federal Trade Commission if they find it hard to dispute any unauthorized payments.