We are all guilty of answering a call from a number we don’t recognize. We probably start the conversation with the unknown caller with a simple “hello.” Quickly, a voice you don’t recognize says “Can you hear me?” Before you think, you’ve likely already said yes. According to the Better Business Bureau, what seems like simple human nature could be the beginning of a scam setup.

How this Scam Works

The BBB says the voice on the other end is likely a robocall recording the conversation. More troubling, they say that a simple yes can be edited to make it sound like you authorized a major purchase. It’s called the “Can You Hear Me” scam. It’s nothing new, but the BBB says its Scam Tracker has seen a large increase in reports of this scam. Answering the phone also confirms the scammer has called a working number. Worse, the agency says it could make you the target of additional robocalls.

In other variations of the scam, the caller may say, “Is this [your name]?” or some other question where the answer will be “Yes.” The caller may not hang up right away either and may continue the conversation to attempt to steal your personal information or record more of your voice.

The Better Business Bureau says consumers targeted by recent scams report the calls can also be about vacation packages, warranties, and even Medicare cards. The callers may be impersonating a business like your bank or another financial institution.

Protect Your Residents

The Federal Trade Commission is working to protect consumers from robocall scams. Most recently, the agency unanimously passed a ruling making the use of AI-generated voices in robocalls illegal. Work continues in Washington, D.C. to protect consumers from digital thieves. As that work happens, you can also share these suggestions with residents on your properties.

The Better Business Bureau suggests:

• Use Caller ID to Screen Calls- Consider not answering calls you don’t recognize. If the call is important, they will leave a message.
• Hang Up- If you receive a call that says “Can You Hear Me?” Hang Up! Scammers change their tactics as the public catches on, so be alert for other questions meant to get you to say yes.
• Note the Number- Note the number and report it to the BBB’s Scam Tracker.
• Join the Do Not Call Registry- This will help cut down on telemarketing and other unwanted calls. Click Here to register your number.
• Monitor Your Accounts- Check your bank statements regularly for unauthorized charges.

Unfortunately, phone scams are not the only way your residents may be targeted in the future. You can find other related scams and prevention suggestions from Navigate here.