Scammers are continuing to find new ways to catch their victims off guard, and one of the latest has callers trying to say “Yes.” According to the Better Business Bureau, about 50 people in northeast Wisconsin have been tricked into saying “Yes” by callers who ask, “Can you hear me?”
Officials say the scammers record the voices and use them to show that the victims approved big ticket items the scammers have bought. Regional Director for the Better Business Bureau, Susan Bach, says those who are tricked should keep track of their credit card bills, bank statements, and online accounts, as well as their phone accounts.
Among other things, the Better Business Bureau encourages people not to answer calls from people they don’t know, with the assumption that they’ll leave a message if the call is legitimate.
Scams have been reported locally to the authorities as recent as this week. Fraud was reported to the Sheriff’s Department in Shawano County when the caller believed they were scammed out of $3,500. The caller had sent money because they were told the Department of Justice had issued a warrant out for their arrest. They realized after the payment that it was a scam, but the money was taken.
Just recently, the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department stated that they were able to track down the account, and were able to return a majority of the money.
Other instances of scams reported include an elderly woman in Waupaca County, who received a call from a man claiming to be her grandson, needing $4,000. Fortunately for the woman, she only had granddaughters.
If you receive a call in this nature, it’s recommended to write down any information they provide to you, as well as the call date and time, and do not provide any private information or banking information, and report it to the authorities.