Missourians: Hang Up And Avoid This Scam If You Hear These 4 Words

It seems like some scam is taking place to separate us from our money every week. There are rental scams, elder scams, and even sleazy scams—although aren't all scams sleazy? The scam problem is so bad that the IRS even came up with Slam the Scam Day. Now, you must start worrying about what you say when answering the phone. 

If You Hear These Four Words From An Unknown Caller, Hang Up

According to Reader's Digest, hang up immediately if you hear this four-word phrase when you answer the phone. And the four words are...

Can you hear me?

Why should you hang up immediately? The question is designed to get you to answer "yes." Once you do that, scammers have your voice agreeing, and they can record that voice and use it to try to access critical online accounts, make fraudulent purchases, and even commit identity theft.

Of course, most businesses you're dealing with record customer service calls. So, if a scammer uses your voice and then you complain that you didn't make a purchase or authorize something, how can you fight against that? It's your voice saying yes.

How To Fight This Scam

The easiest thing is not answering calls from people you don't know. Which, at this point, is most of them.

Additionally, whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone, the best thing to do is keep up with your phone's security and privacy updates. Many phones now alert you to calls that may be spam, whether a sales call or someone engaging in a scam.

Remember The General Rule Of Not Giving Out Personal Information When Receiving A Call

I've written more than once. If someone from a government agency calls you unsolicited for personal information like your social security card or uses scare tactics to try to get you to send them a gift card, bitcoin, or something else to stay out of jail, take care of a warrant, or pay back taxes, it's a scam.

Your bank and utility companies will also not call you, talk to you, or ask for unsolicited personal information. If you think a call is from a legitimate agency or business, call them back at an actual number connected to the company and ask some questions. You can determine quickly whether you are dealing with a legitimate request or whether the call you received was from a scammer.

Finally, just don't be so quick to say "yes" when asked those four words.