They hung up because your answer successfully verified that your phone number is active and belongs to a real person. The call you received from 0114 352 1478 (a Sheffield, UK area code) was highly likely an automated system, often called a predictive dialer. [1, 2, 3]
When you said "yes", the automated system accomplished its main goals: [4, 5]
- Data Verification: It confirmed your name matches your phone number. [2, 5]
- Lead Generation: Your number will now be flagged as a "live" and responsive target, which scammers compile and sell to other telemarketers or fraudsters. [2, 4]
- System Timeout: Sometimes, automated dialers call multiple numbers at once. If a live scam agent wasn't free to pick up the line the second you spoke, the system automatically dropped the call. [1]
What about the "Say Yes" scam myth?
You might read warnings online claiming that scammers record you saying "yes" to authorize fraudulent charges or access your bank accounts. In reality, this is largely a myth. Financial institutions and reputable companies do not use a standalone recording of the word "yes" as a security pass to access accounts or approve major financial transactions. [4, 6]
How to protect yourself going forward
- Screen unknown numbers: If you don't recognize a number, let it go to voicemail. Real callers will leave a message. [3, 7]
- Avoid affirmative phrases: If you do answer an unknown call, avoid immediately saying "yes" to questions like "Is this [Your Name]?" or "Can you hear me?". Instead, respond with "Who is calling, please?" [5, 8]
- Use built-in phone filters: You can activate spam-blocking tools built right into your smartphone's settings.
- iPhone: Go to
Settings->Phone-> turn on Silence Unknown Callers. - Android: Open the
Phone app->Settings-> turn onSpam and Call Screen. [7, 9]
- iPhone: Go to
Are you expecting any official calls from organizations in the Sheffield area, or are you concerned that your personal data might have been leaked somewhere?
Advise Services ? Advisory Services from Sheffield
The phone number 0114 352 1478 is a Sheffield-based landline prefix widely associated with unsolicited cold calls and potential scams. [1]
While it mimics a local Sheffield geographic number, this specific range (0114 352 XXXX) operates on VoIP technology, allowing callers anywhere in the world to disguise their true identity and location. Similar numbers in this exact block are frequently reported for running housing disrepair scams, insulation fraud, and utility impersonation tricks. [2, 3, 4, 5]
If you are looking for legitimate, verified advisory services in Sheffield, please use these trusted, official contact numbers instead:
- Free general & welfare advice: Contact Citizens Advice Sheffield on their official Adviceline at 0808 278 7820.
- Independent legal help: Reach out to local regulated solicitors like Taylor Bracewell's Sheffield Office at 0114 272 1884.
- Corporate & business advisory: Contact established firms such as Opus Sheffield at 0114 550 7200. [6, 7, 8]
Did this number call you unexpectedly? If you can share what the caller said or the specific type of advice you are trying to find, I can help point you to a safe, verified local organization.
They wanted to talk to, said my name, they from Advisory Services , and I said yes, then they hung up
This is a known tactic. You did the right thing by not giving out any information, and you don’t need to panic.
When a caller states your name, waits for you to say "yes", and immediately hangs up, they are usually doing one of two things:
- Voice Harvesting (The "Can you hear me?" / "Yes" Scam): Scammers sometimes record your voice saying the word "yes". They attempt to use this audio recording later to bypass automated voice-recognition security systems used by some banks or utilities, or to falsely claim you verbally signed up for a service. [1]
- Lead Generation & Data Verification: Automated dialling systems (robocalls) often use generic names like "Advisory Services" to screen massive lists of phone numbers. By answering and confirming your identity, you have inadvertently verified to their system that your number is active, that you answer the phone, and that the name they have on file matches the line.
What you should do next:
- Alert your bank: As a precaution, contact your bank's fraud department. Ask them to place an extra note or verbal password requirement on your account, and let them know you may have been targeted by a voice-harvesting scam.
- Do not engage if they call back: Because your number is now marked as "active," you may see an increase in spam or cold calls over the next few weeks. If an unknown number calls, let it go to voicemail or hang up immediately without speaking.
- Report the number: You can report the call and the number to Action Fraud or via the Ofcom scam reporting guide to help network operators block the number block. [1, 2]
Are you noticing any other unusual calls or text messages since this happened? If you'd like, I can give you instructions on how to block the number on your specific mobile phone or landline.
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