Never, Never, Never say YES

[Inexes@aol.com]

Had a brand-new one today...... speaking of phishing/scams.......
Phone rang and I answered it, (which I usually do not do if I don't recognize caller), but was expecting a call from someone whose number I did not have in contacts...
I answered "hello"
Caller asked if I could hear her...... I replied, I can hear you
she repeated , can you hear me....... I can hear you
she asked if I had speaker on....... i replied, speaker on
she asked if I was on cell phone..... I replied, this is a cell phone...
You get the picture here.....this person asked over 15 questions, fishing for a "yes or no" answer..... I played along, out of boredom, I guess.....
I had heard about this, but never experienced anyone attempting to get the "yes" out of me this persistently......
PLEASE, pay attention folk........NEVER SAY YES.......

[Velvet]

I understand that sometimes your voice can be used as voice print to apply for new credit card etc. And the word “yes” is essential.

[coralway]

That one has been around for years. As soon as you say “yes” they got you

[ohioshooter]

I don’t answer the phone if I don’t know who is calling. Since Tuesday I have had 8 spam calls, not one message left.

[Bay Kid]

I wonder about the calls that say nothing and hang up even if you say nothing. Why?

[Bill14564]

I wonder about the calls that say nothing and hang up even if you say nothing. Why?

My guess:
1. They dialed several numbers at the same time and someone picked up before you.

2. If you say nothing then their system thinks the call failed or there is no one on the line so they hang up.

I normally wait three seconds before saying "hello." If I then hear a click or someone comes on the line I know it is a voice-activated system and most likely a SPAM call,

[Taltarzac725]

I let the answering machine get the calls but answer the cell phone but only with "Hello"!

[retiredguy123]

I have totally solved my telemarketing problem by leaving my phone on "do not disturb" except for numbers that are stored on my contacts list. If someone not on my contacts list calls, they need to leave a message. So far, it has worked perfectly. I know that I may miss a few calls from someone who is not the list, but it is worth it. Note that, if someone calls more than once within 15 minutes, the call will go through.

[bopat]

I have a Google Pixel phone, and it lets me screen the calls before I answer. When the phone rings, it says "Answer" "Decline" or "Screen" or something like that. When I hit "Screen" it answers (Google answers) the phone with their automated voice, saying something like "please state why you're calling" and when they respond it prints out the text, I can hit buttons to answer with the Google voice.
Here's a video from Youtube/Google: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EML41O7dJ6s
and another demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvFjUcciMEA

Pretty handy, and their older Pixel phones are pretty inexpensive!

[retiredguy123]

I have a Google Pixel phone, and it lets me screen the calls before I answer. When the phone rings, it says "Answer" "Decline" or "Screen" or something like that. When I hit "Screen" it answers (Google answers) the phone with their automated voice, saying something like "please state why you're calling" and when they respond it prints out the text, I can hit buttons to answer with the Google voice.
Here's a video from Youtube/Google: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EML41O7dJ6s
and another demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvFjUcciMEA

Pretty handy, and their older Pixel phones are pretty inexpensive!
The problem with that feature is that the phone still rings. I get about 15 telemarketing calls every day. But, by using the "do not disturb" setting, the phone never rings, unless the number is on my contacts list.

[oldtimes]

Never, never, never talk to scammers. You gave them a great sampling of your voice and now they can probably synthesize their own “yes”

[Velvet]

I wonder about the calls that say nothing and hang up even if you say nothing. Why?

Can be computer checking if this is a working number.

[Byte1]

MY phone normally posts a "Potential Spam" so I don't answer those. If one gets by, I wait and then answer only with a "hello." If someone is on the other end and starts with the BS, I keep saying "hello?" and then another "hello?" and they will ask me if I can hear them. I keep doing that until they hang up. If I am in a particular funny mood, if I get a live person, I ask them what they are wearing and then tell them that they sound sexy. I don't feel sorry for anyone that markets on the phone, and especially for the spammers.

[Worldseries27]

i have totally solved my telemarketing problem by leaving my phone on "do not disturb" except for numbers that are stored on my contacts list. If someone not on my contacts list calls, they need to leave a message. So far, it has worked perfectly. I know that i may miss a few calls from someone who is not the list, but it is worth it. Note that, if someone calls more than once within 15 minutes, the call will go through.
ditto with a few tweaks.
I go to bed with 3 phones nearby
cell#1 is shut down and my personal 911 device if needed
cell phone # 2 ( retired) still gets wifi and is used as my alarm clock
home phone # 1 unlisted is my connection to 911
home phone #2 is condemned to the bowels of the hvac room in semi retirement

[MidWestIA]

just freeze your credit - these responses sound unlikely

How to Freeze Your Credit - NerdWallet (https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-freeze-credit)

[mikeycereal]

If I happen to answer a call from an unknown I use my batman voice.
:duck:

[jimkerr]

Had a brand-new one today...... speaking of phishing/scams.......
Phone rang and I answered it, (which I usually do not do if I don't recognize caller), but was expecting a call from someone whose number I did not have in contacts...
I answered "hello"
Caller asked if I could hear her...... I replied, I can hear you
she repeated , can you hear me....... I can hear you
she asked if I had speaker on....... i replied, speaker on
she asked if I was on cell phone..... I replied, this is a cell phone...
You get the picture here.....this person asked over 15 questions, fishing for a "yes or no" answer..... I played along, out of boredom, I guess.....
I had heard about this, but never experienced anyone attempting to get the "yes" out of me this persistently......
PLEASE, pay attention folk........NEVER SAY YES.......

It’s just a scam. Nothing about that was phishing.

More importantly, when you don’t recognize the number calling you, just don’t answer.

[Two Bills]

I know I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but if scammers are trying to open a new account using the word 'yes' why do they need my voice?
Surely any old 'yes' will do.
To my knowledge there is no recording of my 'yes' on any data base, anywhere.
I sure as heck can't get any money from my accounts by saying 'yes', and I know the passwords, and all security answers, plus the two factor authentication involving my finger print, and all my fingers at the moment are intact!
What am I missing?

[airstreamingypsy]

I know I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but if scammers are trying to open a new account using the word 'yes' why do they need my voice?
Surely any old 'yes' will do.
To my knowledge there is no recording of my 'yes' on any data base, anywhere.
I sure as heck can't get any money from my accounts by saying 'yes', and I know the passwords, and all security answers, plus the two factor authentication involving my finger print, and all my fingers at the moment are intact!
What am I missing?

Scam artists may be able to use a recorded “yes” to claim that the person authorized charges to his or her credit card or account.

[oldtimes]

I know I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but if scammers are trying to open a new account using the word 'yes' why do they need my voice?
Surely any old 'yes' will do.
To my knowledge there is no recording of my 'yes' on any data base, anywhere.
I sure as heck can't get any money from my accounts by saying 'yes', and I know the passwords, and all security answers, plus the two factor authentication involving my finger print, and all my fingers at the moment are intact!
What am I missing?

"Can You Hear Me?" Scam Calls | The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison (https://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/Publications/CanYouHearMe.asp)

[Bill14564]

I know I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but if scammers are trying to open a new account using the word 'yes' why do they need my voice?
Surely any old 'yes' will do.
To my knowledge there is no recording of my 'yes' on any data base, anywhere.
I sure as heck can't get any money from my accounts by saying 'yes', and I know the passwords, and all security answers, plus the two factor authentication involving my finger print, and all my fingers at the moment are intact!
What am I missing?

Scam artists may be able to use a recorded “yes” to claim that the person authorized charges to his or her credit card or account.

"Can You Hear Me?" Scam Calls | The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison (https://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/Publications/CanYouHearMe.asp)

We all know how the "Yes" scams are *supposed* to work but is there any evidence that someone has ever used such a recording to obtain credit or steal funds?

As the poster points out, it will take more than me saying "yes" on the phone to withdraw money or open new accounts. Plus, I doubt any service uses voice recognition software to ensure that any "yes" they received came from the customer and not someone else. If all it took was a "yes" than anyone could claim they were me and say the word without going through the trouble of trying to record my voice.

It is good practice not to give the scammers what they are looking for and it is always better to just hang up on them. But, is there really a valid concern if you say the word "yes?"

[FredTheHead]

The Minnesota official website that explains the different scams is very informative. Everyone should read it instead of just guessing why scammers do what they do during calls.
"Can You Hear Me?" Scam Calls | The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison

[ckcapaul]

just freeze your credit - these responses sound unlikely

How to Freeze Your Credit - NerdWallet (https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-freeze-credit)
Easy to do, and just need to verify if you apply for credit. Something a scammer will not be able to do.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I know I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but if scammers are trying to open a new account using the word 'yes' why do they need my voice?
Surely any old 'yes' will do.
To my knowledge there is no recording of my 'yes' on any data base, anywhere.
I sure as heck can't get any money from my accounts by saying 'yes', and I know the passwords, and all security answers, plus the two factor authentication involving my finger print, and all my fingers at the moment are intact!
What am I missing?

voice validation screening, fidelity uses this technology when dialing in for human help. Once validated, the person can use his own voice to do whatever he/she wants with your account.

So if the person has bought all your personal information on line, they can be you to the financial services firm.

the crooks have more imagination than you have security measures. . .

[MrFlorida]

Screen every call, if it's important they will leave a voice mail.

[retiredguy123]

voice validation screening, fidelity uses this technology when dialing in for human help. Once validated, the person can use his own voice to do whatever he/she wants with your account.

So if the person has bought all your personal information on line, they can be you to the financial services firm.

the crooks have more imagination than you have security measures. . .
Vanguard also uses voice validation, but you need to repeat a specific phrase. Just saying "yes" will not do it.

I agree with those who said that a recording of you saying "yes" will not be of much value to a scammer. It sounds far fetched to me.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Vanguard also uses voice validation, but you need to repeat a specific phrase. Just saying "yes" will not do it.

I agree with those who said that a recording of you saying "yes" will not be of much value to a scammer. It sounds far fetched to me.

Maybe, but there is a lot more that people can do with voice recordings that we can't quite imagine, as that's their goal to break through, and your goal is to trust that the protections in place now are adequate.

Time is on their side, not yours.

[Two Bills]

Scam artists may be able to use a recorded “yes” to claim that the person authorized charges to his or her credit card or account.

"Can You Hear Me?" Scam Calls | The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison (https://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/Publications/CanYouHearMe.asp)

The Minnesota official website that explains the different scams is very informative. Everyone should read it instead of just guessing why scammers do what they do during calls.
"Can You Hear Me?" Scam Calls | The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison

voice validation screening, fidelity uses this technology when dialing in for human help. Once validated, the person can use his own voice to do whatever he/she wants with your account.

So if the person has bought all your personal information on line, they can be you to the financial services firm.

the crooks have more imagination than you have security measures. . .

I have read the scam report, but it does not say why it needs my 'yes.'
I use no financial institution, that uses a simple 'yes' as authority for any form of transaction, and unless it was done surreptitiously, no one has voice recognition of me saying anything.
Plus they will need a darn sight more info than that as well.
Am I just old, thick, and missing the point?

[oldtimes]

I have read the scam report, but it does not say why it needs my 'yes.'
I use no financial institution, that uses a simple 'yes' as authority for any form of transaction, and unless it was done surreptitiously, no one has voice recognition of me saying anything.
Plus they will need a darn sight more info than that as well.
Am I just old, thick, and missing the point?

Regardless, the point here is to never respond to scammers. At the very least you are validating that it is a valid phone number which makes it more valuable on the dark web. We never answer the phone if we to not recognize the number and we rarely receive these types of calls.

[mixsonci]

We had a Sumter County sheriff's deputy come to talk to our ladies group about scams and other protection for your house. We mentioned to him about they phone calls and saying "yes" and he said he never heard of any scam like that and didn't think that it really could do any harm to anyone.

[Two Bills]

Regardless the point here is to never respond to scammers. At the very least you are validating that it is a valid phone number which makes it more valuable on the dark web. We never answer the phone if we to not recognize the number and we rarely receive these types of calls.

I am aware who to answer my phone too, and receive very few scam calls, but I still cannot get an answer to the 'YES' question.

[oldtimes]

I am aware who to answer my phone too, and receive very few scam calls, but I still cannot get an answer to the 'YES' question.

Once you answer yes they have a digital sampling of your voice. Most people will automatically answer this innocuous question when they would be more hesitant to answer something else. The recording starts after you answer the phone so the hello doesn’t count. It also verifies that it is a valid number. They wouldn’t do it if it doesn’t work.

[Michael 61]

Not answering unknown callers solves the problem - but I will occasionally pick up if I’m expecting a call (I have one doctor that always comes across as “unknown” on my caller ID).

[Bill14564]

Once you answer yes they have a digital sampling of your voice. Most people will automatically answer this innocuous question when they would be more hesitant to answer something else. The recording starts after you answer the phone so the hello doesn’t count. It also verifies that it is a valid number. They wouldn’t do it if it doesn’t work.

The number is verified as valid when you pick up the phone or say hello, they don't need a "yes" for that.

Once they have a digital sampling of my voice, then what? I'm not asking for speculation, I'm asking for examples where the recording of a voice saying "yes" has been the final piece of information needed to cause someone financial harm. In what state and in which year did it happen? What was actually done (open an account, empty an account, etc)?

[Two Bills]

Once you answer yes they have a digital sampling of your voice. Most people will automatically answer this innocuous question when they would be more hesitant to answer something else. The recording starts after you answer the phone so the hello doesn’t count. It also verifies that it is a valid number. They wouldn’t do it if it doesn’t work.

Sorry.
Still cannot see how my voice recording can be used to get at my money, if none of the financial institutions I bank with, do not use voice recognition.

[retiredguy123]

Sorry.
Still cannot see how my voice recording can be used to get at my money, if none of the financial institutions I bank with, do not use voice recognition.
It could be one of those old wives tales.

[oldtimes]

The number is verified as valid when you pick up the phone or say hello, they don't need a "yes" for that.

Once they have a digital sampling of my voice, then what? I'm not asking for speculation, I'm asking for examples where the recording of a voice saying "yes" has been the final piece of information needed to cause someone financial harm. In what state and in which year did it happen? What was actually done (open an account, empty an account, etc)?

Why would they do it if it doesn’t work? Why would it be written up by law enforcement and government agencies? If you don’t want to believe it don’t.

[Two Bills]

It could be one of those old wives tales.

It possibly could. But why would state web sites warn of it?
Thanks for replying any way..
I will in future refuse to say yes to any caller, specially to the grand kids.
That will definitely save us a lot of money! :laugh:

[Bill14564]

Why would they do it if it doesn’t work? Why would it be written up by law enforcement and government agencies? If you don’t want to believe it don’t.

Both Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can_You_Hear_Me%3F_(telephone_scam))and Snopes (https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/can-you-hear-me-scam/) have entries about this SCAM. Neither could find any cases where anyone has lost money to this "SCAM."

To your direct question, the Snopes entry includes:

It's not uncommon for police departments to spread dubious crime warnings on a "better safe than sorry" basis, such as one about a $100 bill carjacking ploy.

It's not a case of whether I believe it or not or whether warnings are issued, I'm simply looking for any reference to a case where someone lost money due to saying "yes" on the phone.

[retiredguy123]

Why would they do it if it doesn’t work? Why would it be written up by law enforcement and government agencies? If you don’t want to believe it don’t.
Government agencies do a lot of things to justify their existence. One example is the "do not call" list. A total waste of time and money.

[JMintzer]

Not answering unknown callers solves the problem - but I will occasionally pick up if I’m expecting a call (I have one doctor that always comes across as “unknown” on my caller ID).

I just wait until they leave a message and then call them back...

[JMintzer]

Sorry.
Still cannot see how my voice recording can be used to get at my money, if none of the financial institutions I bank with, do not use voice recognition.

Agreed. None of my banks and/or credit cards have a recording of my voice to compare with...

[JMintzer]

It possibly could. But why would state web sites warn of it?
Thanks for replying any way..
I will in future refuse to say yes to any caller, specially to the grand kids.
That will definitely save us a lot of money! :laugh:

Just because it's on a website, doesn't mean a stupid person didn't put it there...