Beware of Scams Through Voice Assistants
Asking Siri to call your credit card company might seem as routine as checking the weather. You say the company name, and Siri finds the number. However, for Virginia, an 82-year-old woman from Concord, Massachusetts, this simple task nearly resulted in a financial disaster.
Virginia thought she had asked Siri to call American Express but ended up connected to a scam number. This led to discussions about her Bank of America account, where a simple $1,000 credit turned into $100,000. Luckily, she realized the situation before making any transactions.
The Risks of Using Voice Assistants for Calls
Virginia’s experience highlights a less-considered risk: where a phone number comes from when using voice assistants to dial. The Better Business Bureau warns of fake customer-service numbers appearing in voice searches. Cases are documented of voice assistants, including Siri, leading users to fraudulent companies.
Steps to Prevent Scams
- Verify phone numbers through your credit card or official banking app.
- Use the number printed on your card for contacting banks and credit card companies.
- Hang up if a call suddenly requires you to move money between accounts.
- Don’t transfer money to “protect” your account.
- Verify unexpected overpayments or refunds with your bank independently.
- Never share security codes or install remote-access software when prompted by a caller.
Actions After Potential Scam Interaction
If you suspect a scam after providing financial information:
- End communication immediately.
- Contact your bank directly using verified contact methods.
- Freeze or lock affected accounts.
- Change exposed passwords from a secure device.
- Remove unauthorized remote-access software and conduct an antivirus scan.
- Check for unfamiliar transactions or account changes.
- Report the scam to your bank and the Federal Trade Commission.
Report incorrect business information to Apple through their Maps app, potentially preventing others from encountering the same scam.
Key Takeaways
Virginia’s story emphasizes how a routine call using a voice assistant could inadvertently lead to significant financial fraud. Caution and vigilance can prevent such scams. Always verify before using voice assistants to make financial calls. Treat phone numbers like sensitive information, similar to passwords.