The "Can You Hear Me?" Scam Explained by Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued an alert regarding a fast-growing scam involving a simple question, "Can you hear me?". The scammers' goal is to get you to say "yes" so they can record your voice and potentially use it for fraudulent purposes.

• The scam typically starts with an unsolicited call from a random number, where the caller asks, "Can you hear me?" or similar questions.
• If you respond with "yes," the scammer now has a recording of your voice that could be used to authorize charges or make fraudulent transactions.
• The BBB has seen an uptick in reports of this scam since mid-March, prompting the alert.

How the "Can You Hear Me?" Scam Works

The scammers may pretend to be government officials, bank representatives, or other legitimate entities to keep you on the line longer. However, their primary goal is to get you to say "yes" and record it.

• Once they have a recording of your voice, they can potentially use it to authorize charges or services on your accounts.
• This is known as a "cramming" scam, where unauthorized charges are added to your bills without your consent.
• The scammers may also continue to call and try to trick you into revealing more personal information or make fraudulent transactions.

Experts' Advice on Dealing with the "Can You Hear Me?" Scam

While the BBB has not received reports of monetary losses directly linked to this scam, experts advise taking precautions to protect yourself.

• Stay calm and avoid panicking if you've already said "yes" to an unknown caller.
• Instead of answering "yes," turn the question back on the caller and ask, "Why do you ask?"
• Avoid engaging with suspected scammers, as they may continue to call if they know it's a live number.
• Check your bills and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges and file a complaint with your local attorney general's office if fraud has occurred.

Other Scams to Be Aware Of

While the "Can you hear me?" scam is concerning, experts advise being more cautious of other scams known to result in significant monetary losses, such as:

• Imposter scams, where scammers pretend to be legitimate entities like government agencies or banks
• Gift card scams, where victims are tricked into purchasing gift cards and providing the card details to scammers
• Smishing (SMS phishing) scams, where scammers send fraudulent text messages with malicious links or requests for personal information
• IRS scams, where scammers impersonate the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and demand payment or personal information

Protecting Yourself from Scams

To protect yourself from various scams, including the "Can you hear me?" scam, experts recommend the following:

• Be wary of unsolicited calls, emails, or text messages from unknown sources, especially those requesting personal or financial information.
• Never provide sensitive information or make payments to unverified or suspicious sources.
• Keep your personal and financial information private and secure.
• Report suspected scams to the proper authorities, such as the Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or your local law enforcement agencies.
• Stay informed about the latest scam tactics and educate yourself on how to identify and avoid them.

Reporting Scams to the Better Business Bureau

The Better Business Bureau plays a crucial role in tracking and reporting scams to protect consumers. If you encounter a suspected scam, you can file a report with the BBB to help raise awareness and prevent others from falling victim.

• Visit the BBB website or contact your local BBB office to file a report.
• Provide as much detail as possible, including the scammer's contact information, methods used, and any financial losses incurred.
• Reporting scams helps the BBB identify and warn the public about new and emerging fraud tactics.

Stay Vigilant and Protect Yourself

While the "Can you hear me?" scam may seem harmless at first, it is a tactic used by scammers to gain access to your personal information and potentially commit fraud. By staying informed, cautious, and proactive, you can protect yourself from falling victim to this and other scams.

• Trust your instincts: If a call, email, or text message seems suspicious, err on the side of caution.
• Never provide personal or financial information to unsolicited sources.
• Report suspected scams to the appropriate authorities, such as the Better Business Bureau, to help raise awareness and protect others.