A new phone scam warning is going around the area.

Victims reported recieving a phone call from a familiar, but unknown, number. The scammer might claim to be from a business and ask "Can you hear me?" People are urged to avoid answering or hang up right away.

The fraudster, who sounds like an actual person on the other end -- is aiming to get you to say 'yes,' in order to record you as a way to authorize charges on a phone, utility or credit card bill.

Authorities say just hang up -- don't respond. The scam is a variation of one that began late last year.