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‘Can you hear me?’ Don’t answer that!

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    ‘Can you hear me?’ Don’t answer that!

    By Bob D'Angelo

    Cox Media Group National Content Desk

    UPDATE:
    The website dedicated to covering urban legends, Snopes.com, has indicated that the scam may be unproven. In their investigation, they were unable to find any documented cases of the scam. (AngelinaCat's opinion of Snopes? Not well. They have a leftist liberal slant. Other sites are Truth.com, and others that I will add.)

    EARLIER:
    It seems harmless enough. A person answers the telephone or a cellphone, and the voice on the other end asks "Can you hear me?"

    Don’t say yes, officials warn. In fact, don’t say anything. One word could make a person the victim of a scam that is circulating across the United States, CBS News reported.

    A person's affirmative response can be recorded and used to authorize unwanted charges on a telephone or utility bill or a stolen credit card, CBS News reported. When payment is demanded and that person refuses, the caller may produce the previously recorded assent, the Idaho Statesman reported.

    "You say 'yes,' it gets recorded and they say that you have agreed to something," Susan Grant, director of consumer protection for the Consumer Federation of America, told CBS News. "I know that people think it’s impolite to hang up, but it’s a good strategy."

    But if the caller has not provided a payment method, how can he or she be charged? The con artist already has your phone number, CBS News reported, and many phone providers pass through third-party charges.

    What can you do? If you suspect you have already been victimized, check your credit card, phone and cable statements carefully for any unfamiliar charges. Call the billing company and dispute any unfamiliar charge authorizations.

    If the caller asks you to press a button to be placed on the Do Not Call Registry, hang up, the Idaho Statesman reported. Saying anything or pressing buttons when prompted may help scam artists determine that you have an active phone number. Remember that no government agency will ever solicit for the Do Not Call Registry, but you can register your number at DoNotCall.gov. This will stop legitimate telemarketers and business from soliciting you, but not scammers. So, if you are on the list and get a call, you can be that much more confident it’s a scam.

    Officials urge people to be skeptical when taking a call from an unfamiliar number, the Idaho Statesman reported. If a caller is asking questions that would generate a "yes" response, a good answer is "Who are you, and why do you want to know?"

    Last edited by AngelinaCat; 01-29-2017, 03:37 PM.
    "To go bravely forward is to invite a miracle."

    "Worry is the darkroom where negatives are formed."

    #2
    Also don't answer any questions asking if 'you are you'. We had one of those calls today.
    "To go bravely forward is to invite a miracle."

    "Worry is the darkroom where negatives are formed."

    Comment


      #3
      This is helpful! Thank you for this post. I am afraid it could happen to me or my loved ones one of these days. Who knows?

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by Ruthdavis View Post
        This is helpful! Thank you for this post. I am afraid it could happen to me or my loved ones one of these days. Who knows?
        You are most welcome. Please stay safe.
        "To go bravely forward is to invite a miracle."

        "Worry is the darkroom where negatives are formed."

        Comment

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