Do not say "YES."

Phone scams continue to evolve, using sophisticated tactics to trick people into compromising their personal information or signing up for fraudulent services. One particularly deceptive method involves scammers calling unsuspecting individuals and asking simple questions such as "Can you hear me?" The goal is to get you to say "Yes," which they then record. This recorded voice can be misused as evidence of your consent to various contracts or subscriptions. The scam works because a recording of your affirmative response could be manipulated by scammers to authorize charges or enroll you in services without your knowledge. Since many people are used to saying "Yes" reflexively when answering a question, especially during a phone call, it is easy to fall victim to this trick. To protect yourself, experts recommend avoiding saying an outright "Yes" or giving any verbal confirmation on unsolicited calls. Instead, respond with neutral answers such as "I can hear you" or simply ask for the caller’s identity and company details. Legitimate customer service representatives will provide this information readily. If you receive a call from an unknown or suspicious number, such as the 304 area code example reported, be cautious. Do not share personal information or confirm anything over the phone. You can also check the caller’s number through official company websites or use reverse phone lookup tools to verify authenticity. In addition, monitoring your phone bills regularly can help identify any unauthorized charges promptly. If you suspect you have been targeted by this scam, report it to your phone carrier and relevant authorities to take action. Remaining vigilant and informed about this scam tactic can help you avoid falling victim to automated recordings of your voice consent. Simply not saying "Yes" until you verify the caller's legitimacy is a crucial step in protecting your personal security and financial wellbeing.