BEWARE! Phone Scam On The Rise Steals From You The Moment You Speak
By Michele
According to Forbes, these scammers will call you and ask questions like “Can you hear me?” “Are you there?” “Are you the person responsible for paying the telephone bill?” and “Are you the homeowner?”
All these questions are only fishing for a one-word answer from you: “Yes.”
In what is being called a “voice-stealing scam,” these scammers are recording your “yes” reply and using it to authorize bogus charges on stolen credit cards, phone bills, and utility bills
The scam is on the rise mostly on the East Coast but can happen anywhere. It’s become such a problem in New England that Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) sent out a warning about it this week, according to the Portland Press Herald.
She advises that if you get a suspicious call from a stranger who is asking those questions, hang up immediately.
Forbes assures that it’s never rude to hang up mid-sentence on a scammer.
And to be extra safe, they advise letting all unknown calls go to voicemail.
But what if you do accidentally take one of these calls? Forbes says, don’t panic. Talking to these scammers doesn’t automatically guarantee you’ll be a victim.
Rather, be vigilant. Check your bank statements and bills for abnormalities and dispute unwanted charges. Don’t be afraid to ask your bank or credit card company for help if you think you might be a victim.
If you have reason to believe you’ve become the victim of a tax-related scam, file a 14039 Identity Theft Affidavit form.
Be safe, and share this with your friends and family!
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