Receiving a random call from someone you don't know is already a red flag. Scammers are on the loose right now with a new tactic dubbed the "Say Yes" phone scam.
If you're skeptical about answering a call from a stranger on the other end, trust your gut feeling so you won't fall victim to this scheme.
'Say Yes' Phone Scam: What is This All About?
Beware of the "Say Yes" phone scam and immediately ditch calls from strangers or else you'll suffer the consequences.
From its origin word "say yes," fraudsters will force you to speak yes to them. Of course, the scammers know that you don't know them, and that's why they will attempt to contact you if you will take their bait.
According to Fox News, users should never lower their guard once a robo caller asks the phrases "Is this [ your name]?" or "Can you hear me?"
At this point, they only want your "sweet" yes. It's not as sweet as the yeses we can hear from marriage proposals. It's a trick to deceive you into falling into their trap.
However, the victim has no clue that his/her voice is being recorded upon saying "yes" to the scammers. Once the robocall succeeds in collecting your "yes," then they can now use your voice to deceive other people.
It's a straight move that will put your identity in grave danger since they could now pretend to be you. In this case, they could also use your cellphone bill or credit card for purchases or any other illicit activities or transactions.
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'Say Yes' Phone Scam is No New Scam
In late July, Better Business Bureau warned phone owners to be wary of the phone scam happening around the Tampa Bay area
ABC Action News reported at that time that it was indeed an old scam. It first caught the attention of cybersecurity experts in 2017 before it went viral.
With scammers getting smarter each year, the "Say Yes" phone scam will be an easy job for them. It's a form of using automated systems to mass dial hundreds or thousands of potential victims.
How to Protect Yourself From 'Say Yes' Phone Scam
If this is your first time hearing about this phone scam, then you have come to the right place. However, if you recall that you have encountered this before, don't panic just yet.
Although scammers record your voice, there's no certainty that they have used it to impersonate your identity.
The authorities suggest that if you have received a bizarre call from someone, you can report the incident to the BB Scam Tracker.
As a concerned individual, you can save yourself and other people from this phone scam by following these tips.
- Don't pick up your phone once an unknown number dials you.
- Just answer a question with a question. Remember, your goal is to never say "yes."
- Use a data removal service to erase all of your saved data during the call.
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