Dyfed-Powys Police are warning residents about a phone scam currently defrauding consumers in America, which is set to hit the UK.

Innocent people are being tricked into essentially signing verbal contracts.

Officers are warning people to hang up the phone immediately if they get a phone call and the person on the other end of the phone asks ‘can you hear me?’

The scam works when you receive a call form a local number. The voice on the end introduces themselves and the company they supposedly work for and then they ask ‘Can you hear me?’.

Your answer is is recorded and if you reply ‘yes’, your response will be edited to make it appear as if you’ve agreed to a huge purchase.

You’re effectively being tricked into signing a verbal contract, much the same as clicking ‘I agree’ to terms and conditions online.

Voice signatures like these are legitimately used by companies doing business over the phone, but this is being exploited by scammers who have conned many already.

If you need any advice then please contact the advice line on 0845 040506.