How Saying ‘Yes’ Once Can Land You in a Voice Scam

A single, casual word is fast turning into a weak link in India’s digital finance ecosystem. Cybercrime experts are raising alarms over “Yes Scams”, a voice-based fraud where an innocent response during a routine phone call can quietly open the door to financial misuse, often without the victim realising what went wrong.

A scam that starts like any other call

The setup is deceptively simple. An unknown number calls. The voice on the line asks something harmless: “Can you hear me?” or “Is this a good time to talk?” A reflexive “yes” follows. That one word can be enough. Scammers record the response and later reuse it to fake consent or identity, turning a normal conversation into a potential trap.

How voice turns into proof

With banks, telecom services and customer support increasingly using voice verification, spoken confirmations are gaining weight. Cybersecurity experts say fraudsters exploit this shift by collecting short voice clips, especially clear affirmations and replaying or manipulating them to authorise requests, access accounts, or open new ones. No links, no OTPs, no passwords required.

As one specialist puts it, “Your voice alone can become the instrument of fraud.”

Why the damage often goes unnoticed

Yes Scams rarely trigger instant red flags. Money may be siphoned later, accounts could be opened quietly, or loans might surface unexpectedly. Because there’s no obvious moment of breach, victims often discover the damage days or weeks later, struggling to trace it back to a brief, forgettable phone call.

Cybercrime helplines say many complaints begin with confusion, a sense that something is wrong, but no clear idea how it started.

Staying alert in a voice-first world

Security advisories now urge people to avoid saying “yes,” “ji,” or similar affirmations on unsolicited calls. Safer options include asking direct questions like “Who is calling?” or simply disconnecting if the call feels unnecessary or unclear.

Authorities also stress quick action. Anyone who suspects voice-based fraud should immediately inform their bank and report the incident to cybercrime helplines. Early reporting can limit losses and help investigators spot wider fraud patterns.

In a system where even a single word can be misused, awareness and a little hesitation, may be the strongest defence.