If you’ve ever answered your phone only to hear someone ask, “Hello! Can you hear me?”—you’re not alone. These types of calls have been making the rounds for years, and while they may sound harmless at first, they’re often tied to robocall scam activity.
So what’s really going on?
A Simple Question With a Purpose
The goal of these calls is to get you to respond—specifically, to say the word “yes.”
Scammers use simple, natural questions that most people would answer without thinking. Phrases like “Can you hear me?” or “Is this the homeowner?” are designed to catch you off guard and prompt a quick response.
What Are They Trying to Get?
There are a few different reasons behind these calls.
One of the more talked-about tactics is the idea of recording your voice. In some cases, scammers may attempt to capture you saying “yes” and use that recording to claim you authorized a purchase or agreed to charges. While this method has been reported, it’s not considered the most common or effective scam technique today.
More often, the real goal is much simpler—confirming that your phone number belongs to a real person.
Once you respond, your number may be marked as “active” and added to lists that are shared or sold. That can lead to an increase in unwanted calls, including telemarketing and other scam attempts.
In some cases, the call is just the beginning. After getting you to engage, the caller may move on to other scams involving fake warranties, utility warnings, or financial alerts.
Why It Works
These calls rely on something most people don’t think twice about—basic politeness.
Many people are used to responding when spoken to, especially when the question sounds harmless. Scammers take advantage of that instinct to keep you on the line just long enough to get what they need.
What You Should Do
The best way to handle these calls is simple: don’t engage.
If you answer and hear a question like “Can you hear me?” it’s best not to respond with “yes.” Instead, you can ask who is calling—or simply hang up.
Letting unknown numbers go to voicemail is another effective way to avoid these situations altogether.
Protecting Yourself From Unwanted Calls
While no method will stop every robocall scam, there are a few steps that can help reduce them. Blocking unknown numbers, using call-filtering features on your phone, and avoiding interaction with suspicious callers can all make a difference.
You can also register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry, which helps limit legitimate telemarketing calls—though it won’t stop scammers entirely.
The Bottom Line
That simple question—“Can you hear me?”—isn’t just small talk. It’s often the first step in determining whether your number is worth targeting.
If something feels off, trust your instincts. When it comes to unknown callers, you don’t owe anyone a response.
