Jim Winsett of the BBB. Q. I recently received the “Can you hear me?” scam telephone call. Is it still active in the marketplace?
A. Yes, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about an old scam with a new twist. The “Can You Hear Me?” scam has long been used to coerce businesses into purchasing office supplies and directory ads they never actually ordered, but now it’s targeting individual consumers, as well.
For the last few days of January and continuing in February, more than half of the reports to BBB Scam Tracker have been about that one scam. Consumers say the calls are about vacation packages, cruises, warranties, and other big ticket items. So far, none have reported money loss, but its unclear how the scams will play out over time, or if the targets will be victimized at a later date.
Here’s how it works: You get a call from someone who almost immediately asks “Can you hear me?” Their goal is to get you to answer “Yes,” which most people would do instinctively in that situation. There may be some fumbling around; the person may even say something like “I’m having trouble with my headset.” But in fact, the “person” may just be a robocall recording your conversation, and that “Yes” answer you gave can later be edited to make it sound like you authorized a major purchase.
BBB is offering consumers the following advice: