Telephone fraud – Unknown caller? Never answer “yes” to this question

It can happen that strangers contact you. In most cases, this is not a problem. However, sometimes it is a deliberate attempt by Telephone fraud For example, if you are asked the question “Can you hear me?” you should be cautious.

Telephone fraud: Why a “yes” can mean problems

In the broad spectrum of telephone fraud, there is a scam that attempts to induce the conclusion of a contract by asking an inconspicuous question. As the consumer advice center explains, this approach is not new and, in the worst case, can lead to completely unnoticed, albeit unjustified, obligations: telephone fraud, in which the person called is pressured to say a fateful word: “Yes.”

The way in which this is done is particularly brazen. Using inconspicuous questions such as “Can you hear me?”, people on the phone are tricked into agreeing loudly and clearly. But the callers are actually trying to present their victims with contracts that were supposedly concluded by saying “yes” on the phone. The first bill for this often unnoticed telephone fraud can arrive just days later.

Defending yourself against telephone fraud: How to do it

The good news is that you don't have to pay these supposed bills. However, if you don't know this or are intimidated, you could end up paying unnecessary, high costs. However, experts are available to help those affected in such cases.

As the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Center advises, it is advisable not to simply ignore the incident, but to defend yourself against this type of telephone fraud by writing a sample letter. Often, dubious debt collection agencies or magazine subscription salespeople are behind it. Even supposedly binding cell phone contracts are concluded through telephone fraud.

You can also try to avoid saying “yes” during unwanted sales calls and instead answer questions like “Can you hear me?” with “I hear you.” Also explain to the person on the other end that you are not interested or, better yet, just hang up.

Which phone numbers are dangerous?

There are platforms like “Clever Dialer” where users report suspicious numbers and their experiences. In the Telephone Spam Check section, for example, you can find up-to-date information every month about possible telephone fraudsters and their numbers. This allows you to recognize such numbers as soon as the call comes in.

At the same time, there are now various and very different types of telephone fraud. In addition to the well-known grandparent scam, strangers also try to steal money via expensive 0900 numbers. Consumer advice centers regularly provide information about current cases.

If you have experienced a telephone scam or at least suspect that it might be one, you can report it to the consumer advice center and the Federal Network Agency. Before doing so, try to write down the name and company of the caller, as well as the date, time, telephone number and the content of the call.

New regulation against advertising calls

For over a year now, it has been more difficult for companies to bombard you with advertising over the phone. At that time, new legislation came into effect that set stricter limits: “On May 28, the new consumer protection law comes into force, according to which companies must document whether people they call explicitly want to receive telephone advertising. The change in the law has some advantages for consumers and disadvantages for spam callers.”

Among other things, this will create stricter guidelines for areas such as contract durations, automatic renewals and terminations. But it also includes “high fines for telephone traps”. This means a little more relief for consumers.

Sources: Consumer advice centers, Clever Dialer, own research

By Dana Neumann