Why Can Saying “Yes” Be a Problem?
There is a type of phone scam often referred to as a “yes scam,” or a scam involving an answer of “yes.”
A typical scenario might look like this:
- A scammer calls you and asks a simple question.
- You automatically answer, “yes.”
- The response may be recorded.
- The scammer may then attempt to misuse the recording as part of a fake consent or other fraudulent activity.
However, it is important to emphasize that a recording of the word “yes” alone usually does not mean that a scammer can automatically enter into a contract or make a payment on your behalf. The actual risks depend on the specific situation, the security of the service, and other information the scammer obtains.
Nevertheless, it is sensible to be cautious if you do not know the caller or are unsure of their identity.
Even a Greeting May Not Be Completely Risk-Free
Unknown calls can also be automated. Some systems attempt to determine whether there is a real person on the other end and whether a phone number is active.
A short voice response may, in some cases, be recorded and later misused together with other available information.
However, this does not mean that every time you say “hello” it will automatically result in your voice being cloned. A short recording alone may also not be sufficient to create a perfectly accurate copy of your voice.
During a suspicious call, it is therefore more important not to continue communicating with an unknown caller and not to provide personal or financial information.
What Should You Do During a Suspicious Call?
If an unknown number calls you and the conversation seems suspicious, you can:
- let the caller introduce themselves first,
- ask them who they are looking for and why they are calling,
- avoid providing personal infor...
