I have one admirer (telemarketer) that has called me numerous times. Mostly hangups.

Today he started out telling me what he is, but first asked me "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?".

NEVER say "Yes", because they splice that response - onto a question for some $$$ crap they are selling.

THEN - you have legally purchased their product...

Whatever happened to the DO NOT CALL list????? 

I think this whole thing is a hoax. Not actually happening. 

I think this whole thing is a hoax. Not actually happening.?

Actually it is not a hoax and has happened to people I know from back home. They were out some serious dollars... 

I was thinking has been on the local news also. Perhaps not a hoax? 

NOPE - Not a hoax...unlike FAUX Entertainment... 

Actually it is not a hoax and has happened to people I know from back home. They were out some serious dollars...

It's a hoax.

How were they out some "serious dollars"? You'd have to have more than just a recorded "YES" to get money from someone's bank account, credit or debit card.

What would stop the hoaxers from just recorded ANYONE saying "YES" and claiming it was you? 

error. 

I get minimum two calls per day from "Joe", who, depending upon the day, is from places such as Tripadvisor.

"Hi, this is Joe from Well Known Trustworthy Type Place, can you hear me ok?"

I always put "Joe" on speaker for the benefit of my amused coworkers, and answer "NOOOOOO" into the phone, whereupon "Joe" giggles, then hangs up.

I also have wondered what would stop them from recording any random person's voice and claiming it was me, but haven't been able to come up with an answer.

I'm going to start saying more imaginative things. 

I also have wondered what would stop them from recording any random person's voice and claiming it was me, but haven't been able to come up with an answer.

Because this is a hoax.

There is no possible way that they can bilk you out of $$$ from just recording you saying "Yes". 

So why go to all the trouble and expense of making these spam calls? What are they trying to accomplish?