Police have warned people to hang up the phone immediately if someone calls asking, "Can you hear me?".
A major phone scam is believed to have crossed over to the UK from America.
According to reports, they use this recording as a voice signature to charge you for products and services you never actually used.
If you then try to disagree with them, they reportedly play back the recording of you saying ‘yes’ and threaten to take legal action if you don’t pay up.
Here’s how it works:
- You receive a phone call from a local number
- The voice on the end introduces themselves and the company they supposedly work for
- They then ask: “Can you hear me?”
- Your answer is recorded, and if you say “yes”, your response will be edited to make it appear as if you’ve agreed to a huge purchase.
CPR Call Blocker has seen the scam rise in frequency and the company believes it’s only a matter of time before Brits start being targeted too.
"In our experience of working across the US and UK, scams spread quickly across the pond," says Kris Hicks from CPR Call Blocker.
He added that it’s sensible for people in the UK to be on their guard "as we have no doubt that fraudsters operating in the UK will soon start using these tactics."
Another version of the scam sees the criminals using the person’s voice recording to authorise a stolen credit card.
The public is being advised either to hang up straight away upon being asked “Can you hear me?”, or just not pick up at all if you don’t recognise the number.
And if you do think you may have been caught out by the scammers, contact your bank or card provider as soon as you can.
Always remember never to give out debit or credit card details or any personal information to anyone that has called you.
If you’re unsure someone on the phone is who they say they are, hang up and call back on an official number for the company concerned.
Fraud prevention experts at Which.co.uk say you should never give out
- Your four digit card pin to anyone, including the bank or police
- Your full password or online banking codes
- Personal details unless you’re sure of who you’re talking to