# Scammer calls. Does anyone actually fall for them? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 25, 2021, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018 "2021-06-25T19:45:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2022, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/281 "2022-03-14T18:22:32Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I have to wonder **if the grandparent scammers do some research** - as @HoneyBadgerDC found (and as I found), the location where the “grandson” got into trouble was plausible in both cases - or if it truly is random calls. If the latter, I’m surprised I’ve never gotten a grandparent call! - Social media. Facebook and Twitter are likely the primary sources. I got my first Nigerian Prince email early last week and I’ve been keeping him on the hook. In short, three demands for ID has resulted in: 2 WordPad files named Passport.jpg and DL-SC.jpg(my false persona lives in Loris, South Carolina) which result in error messages. Second attempt, I “accidentally” set my camera to “macro”. Oops. Third time, he got these: [![](https://images.wondershare.com/recoverit/article/12/stellar-photo-repair-6.jpg) ](https://images.wondershare.com/recoverit/article/12/stellar-photo-repair-6.jpg) [![](https://spacecoastdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CORRUPTED-FILE.jpg) ](https://spacecoastdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CORRUPTED-FILE.jpg) He got a mite upset so I sent him a final ID: [![](https://st.depositphotos.com/1000975/3088/i/600/depositphotos_30885955-stock-photo-businessman-clown.jpg) ](https://st.depositphotos.com/1000975/3088/i/600/depositphotos_30885955-stock-photo-businessman-clown.jpg) Never heard back. I decided to play around in GIMP and see if I could make a plausible yet obviously fake ID. I came up with a “US Citizen ID” that is smartphone based. Turned out too good. Based on the ridiculously incompetent IDs I’ve seen scammers use (thanks, @Mangetout), I’d have to say I couldn’t make one that couldn’t be used. But I have to show someone. [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/yWREofK.jpeg "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/yWREofK) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2022, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/282 "2022-03-29T14:13:58Z")
In the last few days I have seen a big uptick in fake text messages to my phone. Some seem to just be spam but others are clearly scams. For instance I got one that said they were trying to deliver an expensive item but there was an outstanding balance of $1.54 in tax. As soon as I pay it the item would be delivered. The weird thing is that on the same day a few days ago my girlfriend got all of the exact same texts but at different times. We are not on the same plan and do not even have the same area code. But my daughter living in the same house did not. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2022, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/283 "2022-03-30T18:09:52Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > In the last few days I have seen a big uptick in fake text messages to my phone. I get several of these every day. I always forward them to Verizon’s spam number (7726 - which is “SPAM” on the keypad), they ask me to reply with the number that it was sent from, and assure me they’ll share it with other providers in an effort to try to cut down on this. Translation: “We’ve had this exchange so you think we’re doing something about it, but really, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”. At least we are now on an unlimited-text plan. I’d TRULY be pissed if we were paying per text like we used to. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2022, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/284 "2022-03-30T18:51:25Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > For instance I got one that said they were trying to deliver an expensive item but there was an outstanding balance of $1.54 in tax. As soon as I pay it the item would be delivered. The trick with these is that people think they are scams, but then figure ‘what if it’s real? - I can afford to throw away $1.54 to find out…’ Except the link typically goes to a phishing page that isn’t even trying to charge you $1.54 - it typically asks for not only your credit card details, but also you bank account number and some personal information. A few days later, you get a phone call claiming to be from your bank, saying someone is trying to hack your account and they need to move the money to a ‘safe account’ - and if you comply, what actually happens is that you willingly give all your money away to a scammer. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2022, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/285 "2022-03-30T23:02:54Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I came up with a “US Citizen ID” that is smartphone based. Turned out too good. Why do I get the feeling that if the actual government tried, it would not look that good? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2022, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/286 "2022-03-31T04:59:26Z")
Thanks. It was fun coming up with something that looked real but(hopefully) obviously fake if you look close enough. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2022, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/287 "2022-03-31T05:09:53Z")
Is that a map of Russia in the background of your ID? 🙃😀🤣 I think I would have added more text. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2022, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/288 "2022-03-31T10:38:12Z")
It is. I didn’t think it was noticeable or recognizable enough. All those barcodes are actually readable info though completely meaningless. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/289 "2022-07-27T18:00:42Z")
I’m sure some do. Recently I got a call from someone claiming to be from the fraud department of my bank asking if I had made a certain transaction. I had not and said so. But then they started to ask for ‘details of my credit card for verification’, my bullshit detector started flashing and I hung up. Of course, when I called the actual bank number, they said there was no record of a fraudulent transaction. But it was a well-executed scam. The caller sounded professional and could well have passed for a bank employee. I suspect my wife’s mother (who is getting on in years, and is always proud of getting the name of the person she is talking to) would have given out details to ‘Jim’, or whoever he presented himself as, without a qualm. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/290 "2022-07-27T18:29:33Z")
Scammers often ask seemingly innocuous questions so that they can get a recording of you saying **yes**. This yes can later be used to prove that you approved the sale/transfer/whatever. [Can You Hear Me? (telephone scam) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Can_You_Hear_Me%3F_(telephone_scam)#:~:text=On%20March%2027%2C%202017%2C%20the,authorize%20charges%20over%20the%20phone.%22) It is not always old people that fall for these scams but it often is and works often enough to make it worthwhile. Older people tend to trust the “authorities” more. The Social Security is calling me? I’d better pay attention and do what they want. Police coming to arrest me? We don’t want that. I could elaborate more but my grandson just called. He is held is Canada on a drug charge for marijuana and I’ve got to get him home. We will talk about it later, but he is right, his dad will have a cow so we won’t tell him until later. His dad took my credit card away but ha ha, I got another one. Said his name was Bob but I know he hates that and always goes by Robert. Probably just the drugs. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/291 "2022-07-27T18:31:06Z")
I’ve never heard any confirmation that that supposed scam (using a recording of the victim saying yes) was real. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/292 "2022-07-27T18:44:35Z")
Snopes rates this as “Unproven”. > **['Can You Hear Me?' Scam Warning](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/can-you-hear-me-scam/)** > > Dozens of news outlets reported on a purported scam wherein fraudsters supposedly falsify charges by randomly calling people and asking 'Can you hear me?' ---
**Author:** ![Bonum\_Legatum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bonum_legatum/32/6183_2.png) [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/293 "2022-07-27T20:08:25Z")
I had a call where the person asked “Can you hear me?”, and I answered “I can hear you.” After that, they didn’t seem to want to continue the call. (Not so say that it is a real thing. Scammers can also be misinformed.) ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/294 "2022-07-27T20:18:30Z")
They found a guy in Nigeria dead in his home. The place was full of boxes of money. Investigation showed he had been emailing people all over the world trying to give the money away but everybody assumed it was a scam so he got no responses. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/295 "2022-07-27T20:22:06Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > They found a guy in Nigeria dead in his home. The place was full of boxes of money. Investigation showed he had been emailing people all over the world trying to give the money away but everybody assumed it was a scam so he got no responses. - That’s not the guy I was dealing with. Somewhere in Nigeria, there’s a dying man with a house full of gold bars. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/296 "2022-07-27T20:33:54Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’ve never heard any confirmation that that supposed scam (using a recording of the victim saying yes) was real. I believe it has been attempted but no one may ever have fallen for it. I got some kind of call back in the late 80s/early 90s back in New York that could have been this. I forget the stupid conversation but at some point they asked me to confirm something like “I was told about their discount offer” by stating the word “Yes”. That’s when I hung up. I heard some more about this kind of scam in the newspaper later buy no confirmation on exactly what was happening. The scam is the follow up process of telling people they have to pay for something they ordered, and then threatening to sue if they don’t. They could only profit from someone foolish enough to give them money. The scammer will never sue, it’s quite difficult to get a court to accept a tape recording as evidence. And no matter what the tape was rigged up to play the single word ‘yes’ spoken by a defendant is not evidence of a contract. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/297 "2022-07-27T20:35:39Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > That’s not the guy I was dealing with. Somewhere in Nigeria, there’s a dying man with a house full of gold bars. You talked to Chibuzo also? Man, I didn’t think he really had those gold bars. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/298 "2022-07-27T20:37:37Z")
I just got a call informing me that “an order has been placed on (sic) my name.” I was then requested to confirm that the order was correct. I hung up instead of opting to speak to a representative. I’ve gotten calls in the past regarding an Amazon order for the latest version of iPhone, but this was the first time I was asked to confirm a generic order. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2022, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/299 "2022-07-27T21:28:58Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@TriPolar](#): > > > > They found a guy in Nigeria dead in his home. The place was full of boxes of money. Investigation showed he had been emailing people all over the world trying to give the money away but everybody assumed it was a scam so he got no responses. - > > That’s not the guy I was dealing with. Somewhere in Nigeria, there’s a dying man with a house full of gold bars. There are countless inheritances in Nigeria that go unclaimed because people suspect a scam, so the money reverts to the government. As a result, Nigeria is one of the richest countries in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2022, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018/300 "2022-07-28T02:52:51Z")
My partner got a WhatsApp post purporting to be from her son, who was in Spain at the time (Ibiza I think), saying he’d lost his phone, and of course eventually asking for money. She realised it was a scam because he’d never really be as polite and prolix as the scammer was. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scammer-calls-does-anyone-actually-fall-for-them/945018.md?page=16)