Another Phone Scam

[GWguy]

http://www.13newsnow.com/news/can-you-hear-me-phone-scam/393854959

You answer the phone, someone says, "Can you hear me?". You say yes. Your voice is being recorded, then used as verification that you had agreed to purchase products. Shortly after, you get calls demanding payment for items already purchased under your name.

I've always been a proponent of not answering the phone, screening calls, letting it go to voice mail if it's an unknown. Saves a lot of grief.

 

[vraiblonde]

I've always been a proponent of not answering the phone, screening calls, letting it go to voice mail if it's an unknown. Saves a lot of grief.

I do the same, but I'm not sure you're liable for purchases just because you said "yes" over the phone. They can't even prove it was you who said it.

 

[GWguy]

Of course not. It's a scam. But there are many people who will panic and cave in, just like they do for IRS scam calls. They play back your own voice which has been edited to confirm a purchase and use it against you.

But I sure wouldn't want to have to defend myself to a real world vendor who DOES THINK you are liable.

 

[vraiblonde]

Of course not. It's a scam. But there are many people who will panic and cave in, just like they do for IRS scam calls. They play back your own voice which has been edited to confirm a purchase and use it against you.

Ahhhh..... And not only that, but how many people will see the charge and not dispute it? I'm guessing their target is older people, per usual, who are less likely to give them a problem.

 

[Hijinx]

Ahhhh..... And not only that, but how many people will see the charge and not dispute it? I'm guessing their target is older people, per usual, who are less likely to give them a problem.

Most robocalls take a little while for the caller to actually get on the phone. By that time I am gone.

 

[GWguy]

Most robocalls take a little while for the caller to actually get on the phone. By that time I am gone.

I have a very short, about 3 seconds, greeting on my answering machine, too short to be recognized as an answering machine. The robocalls all think it's someone answering and try to talk to it. Lots of disgruntled hangups.

 

[Lurk]

I have a very short, about 3 seconds, greeting on my answering machine, too short to be recognized as an answering machine. The robocalls all think it's someone answering and try to talk to it. Lots of disgruntled hangups.

I do the same thing except I have the soundtrack of a climax from a porno movie.

 

[vraiblonde]

my answering machine

Your what???

 

[PrchJrkr]

Your what???

His answering machine. It sits right next to his Victrola.

 

[PeoplesElbow]

There was something like this going around many years ago, from that I trained myself to never say yes. I would say " I can hear you, can you hear me"

Other times I will just repeat everything they said like a little kid mocking someone. I like to have fun with telemarketers and scammers.

 

[SamSpade]

Must be why the phone disconnects because my FIRST response to a question like that isn't "Yes" but "What do you want?".

 

[jazz lady]

His answering machine. It sits right next to his Victrola.

If I don't know the number or it comes up as 'unavailable', I don't answer it. Simple. :shrug:

 

[RareBreed]

Most robocalls take a little while for the caller to actually get on the phone. By that time I am gone.

Same with me. If I don't immediately get a response after I say Hello or if I hear the little blip when they know somebody answered and they pick up, I hang up. We don't have Caller ID so we have to answer all calls.

 

[GWguy]

Same with me. If I don't immediately get a response after I say Hello or if I hear the little blip when they know somebody answered and they pick up, I hang up. We don't have Caller ID so we have to answer all calls.

No, you don't. Let it go to voice mail. If it's someone you know, they will leave a message. If it's not, they almost always hang up. I don't have caller ID either. I screen the call as it comes in, listen to who is calling. If it's someone I know,I pickup, otherwise they can leave a message.

 

[RareBreed]

No, you don't. Let it go to voice mail. If it's someone you know, they will leave a message. If it's not, they almost always hang up. I don't have caller ID either. I screen the call as it comes in, listen to who is calling. If it's someone I know,I pickup, otherwise they can leave a message.

We have DSL so a ringing phone messes up our internet. Easier to just answer and hang up then to wait for a message and then have to reboot the internet several times a day.

 

[GWguy]

We have DSL so a ringing phone messes up our internet. Easier to just answer and hang up then to wait for a message and then have to reboot the internet several times a day.

There's something wrong there. I have DSL and the phone doesn't, and should not affect the DSL. DSL filters in place correctly? REN (ringer equivalency numbers) suitable for your line? Is the phone a portable on the 2.4Ghz frequency and conflicting with your wireless? If Verizon wasn't such a pain to deal with, I'd suggest calling and getting that resolved.