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.

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).

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)?

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.

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.

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:

Both Wikipedia and Snopes 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.

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.

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

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

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