Just One Word Could Spell Trouble: New Scam Uses "Hello?" to Steal Your Voice

Warning on "Silent Call" Scams
Concerns Over Voice Cloning Abuse Using AI

Warnings have emerged that simply answering a call from an unknown number could lead to the misuse of your voice information. So-called "silent calls," where the caller hangs up without saying anything, are reportedly being used in voice cloning scams.

On May 6 (local time), French information and communications media outlet GNT reported that a new type of phone scam known as "silent calls" is spreading rapidly. In these scams, when the recipient answers and says "hello," the response is recorded and artificial intelligence (AI) is used to clone the person's voice.

According to the report, these calls may appear to be nothing more than prank calls or the result of a technical error. When you answer a call from an unknown number, the caller remains silent and ends the call immediately. However, cybersecurity experts warn that your voice could be recorded during this process.

Beyond Number Verification to Voice Collection

The first goal of scammers is to verify whether the phone number is actively in use. Simply answering the call confirms that the number is active, and it could then be added to a list of targets for future phishing attempts or various fraud schemes.

The greater concern is that voice information can be collected at the same time. Cybersecurity firm Bitdefender stated, "Cloning someone's voice, tone, and intonation is much easier than most people think." In the past, voice cloning required complex technology, but advancements in AI have made it accessible even to malicious actors.

Cloned voices can be exploited in a variety of scams. One common method involves calling family members or acquaintances and imitating the victim's voice. The scammer fabricates an emergency—such as an accident or a problem overseas—and requests money under false pretenses.

The damage may not occur immediately. The collected voice data can be used weeks or even months later for identity theft, blackmail, or attempts to hijack accounts. There are also concerns that it could be used to bypass voice authentication systems employed by some customer service centers or financial services.

Hang Up Immediately on Unknown Numbers

Experts advise that you should respond with caution when receiving a call from an unknown number. In particular, if the caller remains silent after you answer, do not continue asking questions or repeatedly respond with brief answers like "yes"—instead, hang up immediately.

It is recommended to block or report suspicious numbers. Even if you receive a missed call, it is safer not to call back if the number is unfamiliar. Some scammers use "spoofing" techniques to disguise their real number as that of a public institution or company, so you should remain vigilant even if the displayed number looks familiar.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.