Advice - Unless you know the number that is calling, NEVER pick it up. There is something more sophisticated hackers are doing called "Voice Hacking."
Short of the long - Many of those calls you get where you say hello and no one is there end up being hackers recording your speech. Now, it's becoming more frequent where they call to solicit you into having a conversation with them getting you say as many words as possible while they record your voice (often use excuses around donations, political support or feedback, etc.). Most people just politely decline and think nothing of it, where they actually are just trying to record your voice. Once they have enough data, their goal is to then use software & algorithms and digitally create a soundboard of your voice which they can then use to impersonate you and call your bank or other companies...
Think of the damage one could cause if they could mimic your exact voice... Sure there are checks and balances that good companies put in place to minimize this from happening, but plenty don't as they can't afford it... There are still several large institutions that are trying to offer 'convenience' to their customers with voice recognition software where you just call and don't need to talk to someone, you can do it all through their automated system.
Intent isn't to scare anyone, just to educate as to some of the latest methods of hacking that's around us. The world is and will continue to change quickly and we need to educate and evolve with it as well before we find ourselves being caught victim. Would hate to see anyone fall victim to it on here.
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