NEVER say “Yes” to a stranger.

While this is not exactly about advertising or marketing, it does revolve around honesty in communication. Yesterday, I wasted an entire afternoon arguing with aggressive, obnoxious phone agents, all because one of my employees answered a question, “yes.” Avoid that, and you can save hours of hassles and/or hundreds, even thousands of dollars.

Before I begin, check your last phone bill.  Really.  Do it now.  Right now.  Seriously.  Specifically page 6 or 7, listed under “OEM charges."  I’ll wait. See that charge for $40? That’s bogus.  You never authorized it. 
 

Yet, there it is.  Right there on your phone bill, and it’s probably been there for months.  Just a small enough charge that you wouldn’t notice it at first, yet substantial enough to bring in hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges from unsuspecting customers.

Lemme ‘splain.

Let’s say someone calls you one day (or has already called you) to “check on your address,” or ”update their directory” or see “who handles your phone service.” Sounds innocent enough. “Are you still at 601 main street,” the disembodied voice would ask.  “Yes,” you would answer, because, what the hell, it is your company address.  And that’s all it takes.  It’s over.  It’s done.  Congratulations you just bought into a bucket of headaches, and expensive headaches at that.  The caller probably went on with a number of Yes/No questions, because it’s less suspicious, and it provides them with a variety of intonations that they can use later.
“Use how?” Glad you asked.
They record your “yes.”  And then they concoct a completely different conversation, record it and cast you as the star.  Their recording is of a sales call.  They insert your “yes” as proof of your authorization to charge you.  They will even play it back to you should you call to complain about a service you never ordered.  Their version of the call may sound something like this. 

"Hi I’m calling from (for instance) More YellowPages Online, and AT&T has authorized us to provide your company with added visibility online.  Are you authorized to make decisions about your phone service?
[Your voice] Yes.
For only $40 a month we can promote your company to web visitors around the world. Are you interested?
[Your voice] Yes.
Are you authorized to approve this charge?
[Your voice] Yes.
Congratulations.  You have made a wise investment. Starting this month, we will charge your AT&T account for $40.00 per month.  Do you understand?
[Your voice] Yes.
And you approve?
[Your voice] Yes.
Thank you very much."
They could have just as easily asked.
"Will you please bend over and grab your ankles.
[Your voice] Yes.
You understand, we will not either pull your hair or kiss you.
[Your voice] Yes.
Good bye."
Doesn’t that sound vaguely like fraud? Flagrant fraud? That’s because it is. And it is well known.  If you were to Google “More YellowPages Online scam,” you would get 550,000 results, many of which you will recognize as your own experience.

Of course, if you have a couple of hours to spare, you can get all the charges reversed.  But the hope of these online thieves is that you will not notice. 
How do you avoid it.  Simple, hang up.  Or if you have time and want to have fun with them, answer their questions precisely without using the word “Yes.”
"Is this your address?
It is.
Is this your phone number?
My phone number is correct.
Is this your company?
That is the name my company does business by."
(or just keep giving them your web address… they hate that)
Save money.  Save time.  Save headaches.  Save “yeses” for people you know.
Say “No” to fraud.
Never say “yes” to a stranger.