Russian Citizens Warned of Forbidden Words in Phone Scam Alert

Russian Citizens Warned of Forbidden Words When Dealing with Phone Scammers

In a recent statement, Russian State Duma deputy Anton Nemkin warned citizens about the dangers of using certain words when communicating with phone scammers. According to Nemkin, fraudsters can use voice recordings to confirm various financial transactions or enter into contracts without the victim’s consent. Even simple words like «yes» and «confirm» can be used against individuals, he explained.

«Miscreants can use your voice to confirm financial transactions or enter into contracts without your consent. Therefore, even a simple word like 'yes' can be used against you», - Nemkin emphasized. He also mentioned that scammers may try to get victims to say phrases like «I confirm» or a specific code word. With a voice recording in hand, a bank’s security system may not believe a single out-of-context «yes» over the phone.



Nemkin advised individuals not to answer calls from unknown numbers at all. However, if someone does answer every call, he recommended silently picking up the phone and listening to the caller first, or using the phrase «hello, I’m listening». In case of a suspicious call, hanging up immediately is the best course of action. Nemkin also stressed the importance of not calling back a number that is unfamiliar.

According to expert Alexander Vurasko, as of 2023−2024, phone scams are the most profitable sector of criminal business. While the information packaging may change, the essence of the scams remains the same. With the prevalence of phone fraud in recent years, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and cautious when dealing with unknown callers to protect themselves from falling victim to financial scams.