Got caught by scam today and really upset.

Ltopaint, sorry this happened and it can really unnerve you. It's a horrible sinking feeling when you think you may have been scammed. I hadn't heard of this ' yes' business, so it's useful to know. I really don't answer the phone if I don't recognise the number, but, like yourself have been caught unawares. Another tip I was given, if someone phones claiming to be from bank/ doctor etc, tell them you will call them back and put the phone down. Then, call them back from a different phone. If they call you on house phone, you phone them back on mobile and vice versa. This is because scammers have software that can keep the line open, honestly they are up to allsorts. Take care everyone.

David49

It doesn’t sound credible as a scam because they didn’t ask for any bank details or try to sell you a loan. The real risk are those that already have some of your account details by hacking into retailers systems and are after your passwords.

Stay alert.

I think it's a scaremongering scam in itself which has been doing the rounds for some time.

I won't say don't do anything about it but, as David49 says, without further details, they can't use that for anything.

Just as well to be aware though. Put the phone down if you are suspicious.

Your yes can be used where voice recognition is a security measure.

It is rarely used now.

petra

If a number doesn’t come up on my contacts list, I ignore it and assume they will message me if urgent.

I nearly was scammed when I received an e- mail from a friend I haven’t spoken to in ages asking g if I would transfer an Amazon voucher to her daughter in law from her Luckily I hesitated before I pressed send and no voucher was sent
These scammers are everywhere Do NOT open any emails with money messages these are very clever people 🤬🤬🤬

NannyJan53

If I answer a call and someone asks, 'is that Jan'? I usually say, who is calling?

I never answer an unknown number, if it is important they will leave a message or send a text.

You have done the right thing OP contacting your bank. I am sure nothing further will happen. It is so easy to be distracted and that is what these scammers bank on.

A number of organisations whose number I rarely recognise pnone me.

We have poor mobile reception at home and we now have a VOIP, landline replacement. Among others we are on the Flood Alert system for the Environment Agency. Our village floods. I do not recognise their number. My hairdresser sends me an automatic voice mail the day before each appointment. i do not recognise their number. That is just two of several calls I get from numbers I never reconise because I never ring them.

Calendargirl
Not so. You are just as much at risk with a mobile.
Lots of people I deal with ask if it’s me ( using my name) if I don’t recognise the number my natural response is who is this
As Allira said, it’s a scam about a scam. There is no evidence that someone has been scammed by this method.
Considering it’s been around since 2017 I think there would be.

If I answer a call and someone asks, 'is that Jan'? I usually say, who is calling?

I never answer an unknown number, if it is important they will leave a message or send a text.

You have done the right thing OP contacting your bank. I am sure nothing further will happen. It is so easy to be distracted and that is what these scammers bank on.

It doesn’t sound credible as a scam because they didn’t ask for any bank details or try to sell you a loan. The real risk are those that already have some of your account details by hacking into retailers systems and are after your passwords.

Stay alert.

These people are despicable and haven't a care for the distress they cause. I'm sorry this has happened to you, but we can't be expected to be on our guard all the time.

Had never heard of the ‘yes’ scam before reading this.

How often does a caller say ‘Is that Mrs Calendar?’ when you pick up the phone, and you say ‘yes’?🤷‍♀️

We no longer have a landline, which is one benefit re scam calls.

As others have said, what info can ‘they’ obtain from a simple ‘yes’ though?

Thank you all so much. I so appreciate your help. I was in a real panic as I was warned about this yes scam some time ago by my daughter. She said they could use your “yes” to put on all sorts of agreements. She too must have been taken in by the rumours. I haven’t told her as she has just gone on holiday and I didn’t want to worry her. So thank you again.

Please don’t beat yourself up. You have done everything right. No money has gone and nobody has died. Take care and keep on being vigilant.

You have not agreed to anything.

Calm down, you have not been scammed.

Wazzam

I too have just googled the 'Yes' scam. I was not aware of this and think it should be more in the public domain to warn people. But from now on I will 100% definite not be answering any 'unknown' numbers!

But it's nothing to be worried about, nobody has actually lost any money and they can't use a recording of you saying 'yes' to gain anything. It's important not to spread ill founded rumours.

GrandmaKT

I've just checked this on Snopes.com (for anyone not aware of this site, it's invaluable for checking all the scams we hear about, as many of them are fake). www.snopes.com/fact-check/can-you-hear-me-scam/
This one is classed as 'unproved'. There are many instances of people getting these calls, but they couldn't find any evidence of anyone being scammed by it or having any financial losses. So, I think you can relax Lovetopaint

I heard that it was a scam about scamming too. But just as well to be aware.

A friend told me that there is another one doing the rounds about Winter Fuel Allowance; they are offering to help you if you have lost the WFA.

I too have just googled the 'Yes' scam. I was not aware of this and think it should be more in the public domain to warn people. But from now on I will 100% definite not be answering any 'unknown' numbers!

My immediate reaction was I wonder if this is one of those urban myths, where entirely incorrect information is passed round and put on social media and people are worried unduly.

I checked the above mentioned web site - and essentially that is what it says.

DD works in the banking sector. She works in cyber security. I was talking to her yesterday when a friend accidentally clicked on a link on a spam email, but nothing else. DD was very clear that to be scammed in this situation you have to give the spammer all your bank details before they can do anything with it and your computer security software will stop anyone downloading malware.

Wth a phone, there is absolutely nothing anyone can do with just a recording of someone saying 'yes'.

Right, further to my post above I've just googled the "yes" scam. I should've done that in the first place!

I don't understand the significance of simply saying "yes". Especially as the caller only said "can you hear me". Does the word somehow allow the scammers to access your bank details? How can they do that if you haven't given them any information? I'm confused and probably being thick.

Thank you soo much GrandmaKT. You have been so kind and helpful.

I've just checked this on Snopes.com (for anyone not aware of this site, it's invaluable for checking all the scams we hear about, as many of them are fake). www.snopes.com/fact-check/can-you-hear-me-scam/
This one is classed as 'unproved'. There are many instances of people getting these calls, but they couldn't find any evidence of anyone being scammed by it or having any financial losses. So, I think you can relax Lovetopaint

Thank you welbeck. Trying to calm down now.

They would have to prove the debt.
Saying yes could not be used to attribute a debt to you.
Try not to worry.
You did the right thing contacting your bank immediately
and they gave you good advice.
All the best.

How awful, hope you are feeling a bit less stressed now.
I had no idea about the 'yes' phone call. Will look out for it.
These scammers are the lowest of the low.