Are You Getting "Can You Hear Me?" Calls? Beware!

Your phone buzzes. It’s an unfamiliar number, maybe local, maybe not. You answer, and a friendly voice on the other end asks, “Can you hear me?”

It sounds harmless, almost polite—maybe it’s a bad connection. So you respond without thinking: “Yes.”

That’s all it takes.

This simple exchange is at the heart of a phone scam that’s catching more and more people off guard. It’s quick, it’s subtle, and it preys on instinct—exactly why it works.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the dangers behind the “Can You Hear Me?” scam, how it works, how you can spot it, and, most importantly, what you must do to protect yourself.

The high cost of phone scams

The Federal Trade Commission consistently ranks phone scams as one of the leading causes of financial loss to U.S. consumers. Losses ran into billions of dollars in 2023 alone, and the most common entry point for these scams is a simple phone call.

Among the myriad scams circulating today, the “Can you hear me?” call stands out for its psychological trickery, ease of execution, and devastating results.

What is the “Can you hear me?” scam?

Unlike complex technological cons, the “Can You Hear Me?” scam relies on basic human reflexes—the instant response to a seemingly harmless question. This type of social engineering attack poses a risk to everyone, regardless of age or level of technical knowledge

Here’s how the scam usually works:

1. You receive a call from a number you don’t recognize. The caller ID may appear local, or even spoof an organization you know.

2. A courteous voice over the phone inquires, “Can you hear me?” The question is aimed to catch you off guard and trigger a reflexive answer.

3. You say “Yes.”

4. The call may end abruptly, or the caller may hang up after some small talk.

It seems harmless until you realize that your recorded voice has just become a potential tool for fraud.

Why scammers want you to say “yes”

The main intent is to acquire an audio recording of you verbally affirming something (“Yes”). This recording can then be misused in several ways:

• Authorizing unwanted transactions: Scammers may use the recording to “prove” you agreed to a product, service, or even charges on an account.
• Fighting disputes: If you later challenge a fraudulent charge or contract, the scammer provides the audio as “evidence” that you confirmed or agreed to their terms.
• Building a profile: Even if not used immediately, your response can be stored, reused, or combined with other information in future scams.

While most reputable banks and legitimate companies require more robust forms of verification, in practice, some rogue operators and shady service providers may rely on that “Yes” as proof of consent.

The dangers and consequences of the scam

The simplicity of the “Can You Hear Me?” scam hides a much greater risk. Once your “Yes” is recorded, you become exposed to:

Unauthorized charges to your accounts

Scammers may sign you up for unwanted services, magazine subscriptions, or products, then claim you vocally approved the purchase. They might have gotten your credit card number from a data breach or other fraud scheme, then use your recorded “Yes” as false “proof” with merchants or even your bank.

Identity verification and account takeover

Voice-based authentication is being adopted by banks, utility companies, and other organizations. If a scammer has your name, phone number, and a “Yes” recording, they may attempt to impersonate you on customer service calls or gain access to sensitive accounts.

Consent to telemarketing and “slamming”

In some cases, the “Yes” recording is sold to telemarketers to “prove” you agreed to recurring calls or even unauthorized switches in your phone or utility carriers—a deceitful tactic known as slamming.

Escalated scam targeting

If a scammer knows you answer/engage with unknown callers, your number can get sold to other fraudsters, increasing the volume and sophistication of scam calls you receive.

Emotional and psychological impact

Victims of these scams often experience anxiety, frustration, and a sense of invasion, especially if they realize their information has been misused or exploited.

How to identify “Can you hear me?” and similar phone scams

While scammers’ methods continue to evolve, here are some core warning signs to watch out for:

• Unsolicited calls from unfamiliar numbers: Calls from numbers you don’t recognize (especially with no voicemail) may be suspicious.
• Opening questions that seek affirmation: Any first question meant to trigger an automatic “yes,” such as “Can you hear me?”, “Is this the homeowner?”, or “Are you the decision-maker?”
• Requests for personal data: Scammers may escalate to request your address, social security number, or banking details.
• Urgency or pressure: The caller may insist they are calling about an urgent matter that must be attended to immediately, giving you no time to think and take rational decisions.
• Use of robocalls and spoofed numbers: Some calls come from automated systems or fake local area codes to trick you into picking up.

Common variations

• “Can you hear me?”
• “Do you own your home?”
• “Is this [your name]?”
• “Are you the person responsible for the account?”
• “Are you the decision maker?”

Whether posed by a real person or a robot caller, the intent remains: catch you off guard and get a verbal “yes.”

What to do if you receive a suspicious call

Vigilance and proactivity are your best defense. Here’s how to handle “Can you hear me?” and other suspicious calls.

1. Don’t answer unfamiliar numbers: If you accidentally pick up, remain cautious.

2. Never say “yes” or provide personal information: If someone asks, “Can you hear me?”, do NOT confirm. Hang up instead.

3. Don’t engage or press any buttons: Interacting with prompts verifies to robocallers that your number is “live,” which increases your potential as a scam target.

4. Hang up immediately: If anything sounds suspicious or scripted, end the call without explanation.

Blocking and reporting

• Block the number: Most smartphones allow easy call blocking of unwanted numbers.
• Use call-blocking services or apps: Many carriers and third-party apps (like ReversePhone.com’s lookup tool) allow advanced blocking and monitoring.
• Report the incident: File complaints with the FTC Do Not Call Registry, your carrier, and, if applicable, your state attorney general’s office.
• Share the experience: Warn friends and family, particularly older or less tech-savvy relatives, about the scam.

What to do if you think you’ve been targeted

If you’ve responded to a suspected scam call, or you notice suspicious activity on your accounts, act quickly:

1. Monitor your accounts closely: Look for new or unauthorized charges on your bank, utility, credit, and phone bills.

2. Notify your banks and card issuers: If you suspect scams or identity theft, your financial institutions may be able to reverse unauthorized charges and take steps to protect your accounts.

3. Change pins and passwords: Especially on accounts that use phone or voice verification.

4. Report the scam: File complaints with the FTC, your phone company, and, if needed, your local police department.

5. Request a credit freeze or fraud alert: If you’re worried your financial identity is at risk, a credit bureau can place an alert or freeze on your credit profile.

6. Document everything: Keep records of all calls, charges, reports filed, and names/numbers involved in the incident.

Long-term monitoring

Remain vigilant for weeks or months afterward, as scammers may attempt multiple frauds using your details.

General tips to protect yourself from phone scams

Prevention is always better than cure. Here are key habits and steps to keep you and your loved ones secure.

1. Don’t call back unknown numbers

Many scams thrive on callback lines that charge excessive fees or mislead you into more complex fraud schemes. If the caller ID isn’t familiar, allow the call to go to voicemail.

2. Watch for caller ID spoofing

Scammers can disguise phone numbers so they look like they’re coming from a local line or a trusted source, such as your bank or a government office. Never trust the caller ID alone.

3. Regularly review account and phone bills

Monitor credit card, phone, and utility statements for unauthorized charges. Even small, unexplained charges could be the sign of a scam in progress.

4. Share awareness

Educate family members, especially older adults who may be more trusting and less tech-savvy, about the latest scams and warning signs. Encourage them to adopt a “When in doubt, hang up” policy.

5. Use lookup and security tools

A robust reverse phone lookup service lets you check unknown callers before responding, strengthening your defense against new scams. This is where a service like ReversePhone.com becomes a valuable asset.

How ReversePhone.com can help you stay secure against scams

Until recently, identifying an unknown caller was expensive, confusing, or even impossible without physical directories, bulky hardware, or costly subscriptions. But ReversePhone.com is dedicated to upending that trend by offering everyday users control, insight, and peace of mind.

Why choose ReversePhone.com?

• Identify unknown callers: Every incoming call can be checked against billions of public records, revealing names, complaints, spam likelihood, and known syndicate links, even if the caller is using an unlisted, cell, or VoIP number.
• Access community insights: Benefit from robust user commentary about numbers—see what happened to others before picking up a suspicious call.
• Affordable access: Unlimited lookups mean you don’t have to pay per report, and there’s no hardware required. Everything is web-based, efficient, and user-friendly.
• Privacy and peace of mind: With easy lookup, you can decide whether to answer, send a call to voicemail, ignore outright, or report the number to the authorities.

Your phone should be a tool for connection, not a source of stress or anxiety. Sign up at ReversePhone.com today and join a community dedicated to transparency and proactive security.