By Staff Reports
(LĪHU’E) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a warning to consumers about an emerging scam known as the “Can you hear me?” phone scam, which can make an unsuspecting person a victim by saying one simple word: “Yes.”
According to the FCC, the scam begins when a consumer answers a call and the person on the line asks, “Can you hear me?” The caller then records the consumer’s “Yes” response and thus obtains a voice signature. That voice signature can later be used by the scammers to impersonate the consumer and authorize fraudulent charges via telephone.
While there have been no reports of this scam occurring on Kaua‘i, the public is advised to always be on alert for telephone scams and take preventive measures to avoid becoming a scam victim.
Kauai Police Department recommends the following tips:
- Do not answer or return calls from unknown numbers.
- Immediately hang up on any unsolicited calls, especially if the caller instructs you to press a button for any type of service.
- Avoid responding with “yes,” “sure,” or “ok” and never give out any personal information.
- If you receive a scam call, write down the number and file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker at https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us. Then call the Kaua‘i Police Department at 241-1711.
For more consumer tips and advice, visit the Federal Trade Commission website at www.consumer.ftc.gov.