Among the words to avoid in phone calls are affirmative responses like “yes,” a term used by scammers to legitimize transactions without your actual consent. This phenomenon, known as “yes fraud,” involves recording your voice saying “yes” and then manipulating it to simulate authorization of transactions or legal agreements. Therefore, it’s best to choose neutral answers or questions that allow you to confirm the caller’s identity, such as “Why are you calling?” or “On whose behalf are you calling?”
But simply saying “yes” isn’t risky. Common greetings like “hello” or “hello” can also be used by automated systems to verify that the number is active and that the voice belongs to a real person. By saying these words, you implicitly confirm that your phone is in use and that your voice is “trustworthy” in case of future fraud attempts. If you receive a call from an unknown number, the safest option is to wait for the caller to identify themselves or respond with phrases that reveal their intentions, such as “Who am I speaking to?” or “Can I help you?”.
The reason for their interest in your voice is obvious: cybercriminals are now using artificial intelligence to create voice clones almost identical to the original, based on just a few seconds of recording. This allows them to convincingly impersonate you and engage in fraudulent activities, such as contacting your friends and family with urgent requests for money, making purchases or transfers at banks with voice recognition systems, or verifying forged documents and contracts that appear legitimate.
How can you protect yourself from these new threats? First, always verify the caller’s identity before answering the call or providing any information. Avoid participating in automated surveys or recordings that could capture your voice. Regularly check your bank statements and report any irregularities to your financial institution. Block suspicious numbers and report them to authorities or service providers to curb these practices.
