{"id":83889,"date":"2017-01-31T08:01:54","date_gmt":"2017-01-31T13:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=83889"},"modified":"2017-01-31T08:02:25","modified_gmt":"2017-01-31T13:02:25","slug":"a-g-warns-about-can-you-hear-me-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2017\/01\/31\/a-g-warns-about-can-you-hear-me-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"A-G warns about ‘can you hear me’ scams"},"content":{"rendered":"

Submitted information<\/em><\/p>\n

COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine warns that, since Friday, several Ohioans have reported suspicious calls from callers asking \u201cCan you hear me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Similar calls have been reported throughout the country as part of an alleged scam to trick consumers into responding \u201cyes\u201d and using their response to place unauthorized charges on their phone or utility bill.<\/p>\n

\"Attorney
Ohio A-G\u00a0Mike DeWine<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cAny time people receive a call that\u2019s suspicious, we encourage them to be very careful and not to respond to the call,\u201d Attorney General DeWine said. \u201cWhen in doubt, just hang up. If you need help or if you suspect a scam, contact the Ohio Attorney General\u2019s Office.\u201d<\/p>\n

In reports to the Ohio Attorney General\u2019s Office, consumers generally say the calls appeared to come from a local phone number, such as a number showing a 614 (Columbus) or 330 (Akron) area code. Some consumers said the callers claimed the consumer had won a vacation or cruise or claimed to work for an extended warranty company.<\/p>\n

Tips to avoid potential phone scams include:<\/p>\n