Imagine this scenario: You pick up the phone, and the person on the line swiftly poses a yes-or-no question. Their urgent tone and the straightforward nature of the query prompt an instant response from you. Before you know it, within mere moments, you’ve fallen prey to the situation.
four-word
phone scam
And that short interaction might end up costing you several hundred or even thousands of dollars.
A 2024
Trucaller Insights report found that Americans collectively lost over $25.4 billion to phone scams during the previous 12 months. “This [four-word] phone scam is particularly frightening [because] they simply rely on the human behavior of answering a quick question,” says Matthew Shirley, the vice president of client solutions at
Fortalice Solution
s
, a firm specializing in cybersecurity services.
Based on information from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC),
In 2024, telephone calls ranked as the second most frequently cited means through which fraud occurred. According to the FTC, victims of such phone scams during that year typically lost an average of $1,500.
How can one prevent falling prey to such scams? Insights were provided by Shirley along with another cybersecurity authority, Adam Gordon, who specializes as an advanced security practitioner, security architect, and consultant. They elucidate what exactly constitutes the four-word phone scam and provide guidance on steering clear of and reporting these fraudulent calls.
The key points regarding the four-word telephone scam
What is the four-word phone scam?
The fraudulent four-word telephone scheme entails a pre-recorded message asking, “Can you hear me?” Once the recipient responds affirmatively during the call, their reply is captured. This audio clip can later be used against them, as scammers might employ it to gain unauthorized entry to victims’ accounts—whether for authorizing login attempts, making significant purchases, or subscribing to costly services—all under false pretenses using the recorded confirmation of consent.
“Just think about what someone with a recording of you saying ‘yes’ can attempt to access, unlock, change or authorize in today’s remote-centric and faceless world,” Gordon says.
Scammers utilize
psychological tactics
to make t
The four-word telephone scam works effectively
The person making the call relies on an instinctive, human reaction to fear known as an “amygdala hijack,” where the section of the brain responsible for emotions takes over, overriding rational thought processes. By suddenly asking, “Can you hear me?” without providing any explanation or background information, the fraudster instills a feeling of immediacy. As a result, this compels the target to respond impulsively due to their heightened state of emotion rather than thinking logically.
Con artists use voice modulation (altering their pitch, tone, speed, and emotional expression) to give their pre-recorded voices the appearance of being live and frequently distressed individuals, aiming to elicit a reaction from the target.
Frequently used expressions and different versions in this fraud
Scammers sometimes use variations of “Can you hear me?” to convince the victim that the connection is bad. This leads the victim to repeat “yes” and potentially say more—giving the scammer additional samples of the victim’s voice that they can then utilize to access important accounts. Common phone scams include variations like:
-
“Hello … hello? Can you hear me?”
-
“Sorry, the connection is bad. Can you hear me?”
-
“I can’t hear you. Are you there?”
The four-word telephone scam is also referred to as the “say yes scam” because it encourages victims to respond affirmatively. Unlike some scams that create panic or simulate poor connections, this one sometimes employs simple inquiries to make targets let down their defenses and quickly reply with a “yes.” Such questions may encompass:
-
Is this [put your name here]?
-
“Are you the homeowner?”
-
Could you be the woman/guy of the premises?
How fraudsters employ technology and artificial intelligence for these scams
Fraudsters utilize technology at each stage of the four-word phone scam. Here’s how they do it.
Making the call
Robocalls, which make automated telephone calls delivering prerecorded messages, accomplish far more tasks than an individual without such technology could manage alone. As Shirley points out, “Robocalls are extremely inexpensive, with costs dropping to just a few dollars for sending millions of calls.” This affordability opens up numerous possibilities for fraudulent calls.
During the call
Advances in
artificial intelligence (AI)
Technology has allowed fraudsters to mimic human speech more convincingly, tricking victims into thinking they’re talking with an actual person. In a variant of the “Can you hear me?” telephone scam, the conversation often starts with a highly authentic-sounding line like, “Sorry, I’m experiencing problems with my headphones.”
Gordon mentions that AI has become so sophisticated that it can convincingly pose as a human in numerous scenarios. This poses particular problems for chatbots and telephone interactions, where you only encounter the voice or written messages without being able to visually identify the individual.
After the call
Should a con artist manage to record your speech, they could utilize the audio snippet to teach an artificial intelligence system to mimic your voice. Current advancements in AI voice-cloning technologies mean that just a brief clip—mere seconds—of your recorded voice might be enough for them to recreate it convincingly, which can subsequently be employed to gain unauthorized entry to your accounts. This tactic is frequently exploited in telephone scams known as “grandparent scams,” where criminals employ your duplicated vocal identity to pose as you and deceive family members into divulging confidential information or transferring funds.
Ways to dodge the four-word telephone scam
As fraudsters employ advanced technologies to deceive their targets, you can adopt measures to safeguard yourself. Continue reading for valuable advice from experts.
.
Avoid unfamiliar numbers
To prevent becoming a victim of this phone scam and other robocall scams, it’s best to not answer calls from unfamiliar phone numbers. If you do accidentally answer, try to hang up as quickly as possible. Pressing any numbers or responding to the caller confirms that the phone number is active, which might lead to more robocalls, Gordon says.
Do not depend on caller ID
Even numbers that seem legitimate on your caller ID might still be fraudulent. Scammers have the ability to spoof these numbers.
look
as it appears to be originating from a trustworthy source or individual by displaying a known name, company, or local area code on the Caller ID. This tactic is referred to as “spoofing.”
spoofing
and is employed to earn your confidence.
Think before you speak
For individuals like job seekers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, answering calls from unknown numbers might sometimes be essential. However, approach these calls with caution. Scammers often rely on prompt responses, so take a moment to consider before speaking. Aim to ascertain their identity and motives swiftly without disclosing personal information.
personal information
.
If the caller is overly urgent or threatening, remember this is a psychological tactic, and you should hang up. “Under no circumstances should you hastily respond to their questions or give anything that is requested,” Shirley says. “Assume that any unknown party attempting to solicit payment or information may not be who they claim to be.”
Should the caller inquire about something personal, you might respond by asking why they wish to know. Using this strategy could confuse an automated call or a scam attempt.
Verify calls
Should someone claim to be calling from a particular company or institution, you may want to reach out to them directly using their verified customer service line to confirm if they indeed contacted you.
Block unwanted calls
Gordon and Shirley recommend registering for the
National Do Not Call Register
by utilizing an app that blocks or labels calls to help with screening and
block unknown calls
. With these apps, each caller will receive short prompts to verify their identity before the call is forwarded to your phone. Many phone carriers provide call-blocking features and you can also download
security apps
to block unwanted calls.
Establish a safe word
With advancements in technology, scammers can now easily mimic people you know and trust. Establish a special word or sentence that should only be shared among close friends and relatives. If you receive an urgent call from what seems like a loved one but have doubts about their identity, ask them to use this secret code; verifying through this ensures you’re speaking with the real person.
How should one respond when receiving a fraudulent phone call?
After getting a scam call, report it and promptly begin safeguarding your accounts and personal data. As Gordon emphasizes, “The quicker you take action, the safer you will be.”
-
Report fraudulent charges.
Should a fraudster manage to make an unauthorized purchase using your identity, Gordon suggests reaching out to the institution where the transaction took place—be it a credit card firm, financial institution, mobile payment platform, gift card provider, or wire service such as Western Union. Inform them of this illicit charge and inquire whether they have the ability to look into it, cancel the transaction, and provide you with compensation.
-
Secure your accounts.
Update your passwords and keep an eye on your credit report for any suspicious transactions. Should you suspect that a fraudster may have gained remote control over your computer, upgrade your system’s protective measures and check for any irregularities.
indications your PC may have been compromised
.
-
File complaints and reports.
Gordon recommends informing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about the scam call.
ReportFraud.ftc.gov
. Be sure to give the agency the number that appeared on your caller ID when the scammer called and any number the scammer told you to call back
.
Even if you didn’t lose money but you want to report a suspected scam call, you can submit a report at
DoNotCall.gov
. You should also lodge a formal complaint with them as well.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The FTC and FCC utilize this information to recognize, tag, and restrict unlawful callers in an effort to combat telephone scams. Additionally, you have the option to add to the scam database maintained by the BBB Scam Tracker by submitting your own experiences through their platform.
About the experts
|
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Reader’s Digest
has published hundreds of articles on personal technology, arming readers with the knowledge to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats and internet scams as well as revealing the best tips, tricks and shortcuts for computers, cellphones, apps, texting, social media and more. For this piece, Brooke Nelson Alexander tapped her experience as longtime journalists and tech reporter. We rely on credentialed experts with personal experience and know-how as well as primary sources including tech companies, professional organizations and academic institutions. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our
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Sources:
-
Matthew Shirley
,
vice president of client solutions at
Fortalice Solution
s
a firm specializing in cybersecurity services
-
Adam Gordon
,
a seasoned security professional who serves as an architect and advisor for governmental, corporate, and community entities
-
Truecaller
:
U.S. 2024 Spam and Fraud Report
-
Federal Trade Commission
: “
FTC Reports a Significant Rise in Fraud-Related Losses to $12.5 Billion in 2024
”
-
Fintech Futures
According to FTC data, U.S. consumers lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024. -
Amygdala Takeover: Modern Perspectives on Origins, Connections, and Outcomes
-
Experian
: “
What is the ‘agree quickly’ fraud?
”
-
Axios
: “
AI voice cloning scams: An ongoing menace with inadequate safeguards
“
-
Federal Communications Commission
: “‘Grandparent’ scams get more sophisticated” -
Better Business Bureau
: “The ‘Can you hear me?’ phone scam is still ringing (hint: Just hang up!)”
