Never say "Yes"!

Example Scenario • The Caller: "Hello, is John available?" or "Am I speaking with John?" • The Person Answering: "Yes, this is he" (or "Yes, speaking"). Avoid saying "yes" to open-ended or vague questions from unknown numbers (such as "Can you hear me?" or "Are you there?"). Fraudsters use these prompts in "Say Yes" phone scams to record your voice and fraudulently authorize charges or services in your name. Safe Alternative Phrases Instead of saying a standalone "Yes," use descriptive phrases that confirm who you are without providing a clean, isolated voice recording of the word "yes." • "This is [Your Name]." • "Speaking." • "I am here, how can I help you?" • "This is they." • "May I ask who is calling?" (Great if you want to verify the caller before confirming your identity) How to Handle Suspicious Unknown Calls If an unknown caller asks a vague question right away—like "Can you hear me?", "Is anyone there?", or "Are you the homeowner?" —use these strategies to stay safe: • Answer with a question: Respond with, "Who is this?" or "What company are you calling from?" • Stay silent: If the caller repeats the question without identifying themselves, do not engage. • Hang up immediately: If something feels off, simply end the call. • Do not press buttons: If an automated voice tells you to "Press 1 to speak to a representative" or "Press 2 to opt out," hang up. Pressing buttons confirms your number is active and leads to more robocalls.