Beware of This Word When Answering Unknown Calls
Have you ever answered a call from an unknown number only to find yourself entangled in a suspicious conversation? It's crucial to be vigilant. Specifically, there’s one word you should absolutely avoid saying during these calls: “Yes.”
Scammers are known to employ tactics that coax you into saying this word, particularly with seemingly harmless questions like, “Can you hear me?” or “Is now a good time?” By recording your response, they may claim you have authorized a transaction or made a purchase without your consent. According to the NRW Consumer Advice Center in Germany, this technique is becoming increasingly common.
If faced with such inquiries, consider responses like, “I can hear you” instead. In the United States, while verbal agreements can technically be binding, there are exceptions—such as for contracts related to real estate or high-value transactions—so stay cautious.
How a Brief Exchange Can Lead to Fraud
Surprisingly, in as little as three seconds, your simple “yes” could provide criminals the leverage to fabricate entire conversations using voice manipulation technology. Even if no immediate harm comes from one slip, answering affirmatively can result in your number being flagged as a “High-Value Lead” and resold to other scammers.
Have you ever encountered a fraudulent call?
Yes, and I want to avoid it in the future.
12.5%
No, I've safely dodged scams thus far.
87.5%
Votes: 8
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Fortunately, while verbal contracts are enforceable, you may contest agreements made without genuine intent. If approached with a recording claiming your approval, demand the complete context of the recording; parts may be edited, rendering them invalid in legal settings.
Additional Precautions
To stay secure, avoid using “Yes” in any response. In the world of scams, there’s an unwritten rule: if you can’t recognize the caller’s voice within three seconds, hang up immediately. This rule can effectively save you a lot of trouble.
Finally, if you do receive such a dubious call, don’t just brush it aside. Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by emailing them at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Now, let me ask you, did you gain any insights from this article? Just checking!
