If you answer the phone and someone says, “Can you hear me?” it can feel like a normal question. But scammers sometimes use this line to get you to respond quickly without thinking. This guide explains what’s going on, what you should do in the moment, and how to protect yourself afterward.
This is written for seniors and beginners, with clear steps and calm advice.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: What to do right away
- Why a scammer might ask “Can you hear me?”
- What to say (and what NOT to say)
- Step-by-step: What to do during the call
- What to do after the call
- How to block and report the number
- Extra ways to reduce scam calls
- Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Answer: What to do right away
If someone you don’t recognize says, “Can you hear me?” do this:
- Don’t say “yes.”
- Stay calm and ask: “Who is this?”
- If they won’t clearly identify themselves, hang up.
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail moving forward.
Simple rule: You do not owe a conversation to an unknown caller.
Why a scammer might ask “Can you hear me?”
Most of the time, a real caller asking “Can you hear me?” is harmless. But scammers may use this question as a quick way to get you talking. They want to see if your number is active and if you’ll respond to prompts. Some scammers also try to record short audio clips of your voice to use in other scams.
The safest approach is not to argue or explain. Just control the conversation and verify who is calling.
What to say (and what NOT to say)
Avoid saying: “Yes,” “Yeah,” “This is (your name),” or anything that confirms personal details.
Say instead:
- “Who is this?”
- “What company are you calling from?”
- “What is this regarding?”
If they are legitimate, they can clearly explain who they are and why they’re calling. If they dodge the question, pressure you, or keep repeating prompts, it’s a red flag.
Step-by-step: What to do during the call
Step 1: Pause and take control
When you hear “Can you hear me?” don’t respond automatically. Take a breath and stay calm.
Step 2: Ask for identification
Say: “Who is this?” A real caller will identify themselves quickly.
Step 3: Don’t confirm personal information
If the caller asks, “Is this (your name)?” or “Can you confirm your address?” do not confirm. You can say: “I don’t share information on incoming calls.”
Step 4: If it feels off, hang up
If the caller is vague, pushy, or confusing, end the call. You don’t need to be polite to protect yourself.
Step 5: If it might be important, call back safely
If you think it could be your bank, doctor, pharmacy, or a delivery service, do not call back the number that called you. Instead, look up the official number on a statement, the back of your card, or the company’s official website and call that.
What to do after the call
If you hung up and you’re worried, here are safe next steps:
- Check your voicemail to see if a legitimate message was left
- Search the phone number online (often scam reports appear)
- Watch for follow-up calls or texts from the same number
- If you shared any personal information, contact the company directly using an official number
Most of the time, if you simply hung up and didn’t share information, you’re fine.
How to block and report the number
Block on iPhone
- Open the Phone app
- Tap Recents
- Tap the (i) next to the number
- Tap Block this Caller
Block on Android
- Open the Phone app
- Tap Recents or Call history
- Tap the number
- Select Block or Report spam
You can also report scam calls to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Extra ways to reduce scam calls
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail
- Turn on spam protection features in your phone settings
- Use your carrier’s scam blocking tools (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile)
- Block repeat callers immediately
- Never share personal information on an incoming call
If you want a broader guide, see How to Block Spam Calls (Step-by-Step Guide).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “Can you hear me?” always a scam?
No. Sometimes it’s just a bad connection or a real person. The key is what happens next. If they won’t identify themselves clearly, it’s safest to hang up.
Is it dangerous to say “yes” on the phone?
It can be. Some scammers try to record your voice and use it in other fraud attempts. The safer habit is to avoid saying “yes” to unknown callers and instead ask who they are.
What if I already said “yes”?
Don’t panic. In most cases, nothing happens. Hang up, block the number, and watch for repeat calls. If you gave out personal information (like your address, Social Security number, or bank details), contact the relevant company using an official number and consider monitoring your accounts.
What should I do if the caller claims to be my bank or Social Security?
Hang up. Then call the official number on the back of your bank card or on the government website. Never trust an incoming caller who asks for personal information.
How can I stop these calls completely?
You can’t stop every scam call, but you can greatly reduce them by letting unknown numbers go to voicemail, turning on spam filtering, and blocking repeat callers.
Summary
If an unknown caller says, “Can you hear me?” don’t answer automatically and don’t say “yes.” Ask “Who is this?” If they won’t clearly identify themselves, hang up. When in doubt, let unknown calls go to voicemail and call back using an official number you trust. Staying calm and following these steps makes this scam easy to avoid.
