GOOGLE has come up with a clever crook-busting trick to expose scammers while you’re on the phone with them.
The call-scanning feature monitors what the person is saying to you in real time – and warns you with a pop-up, sound, and physical “haptic” buzz.
Google can detect a scam while you’re having a live phone conversation[/caption]
Scam phone calls are one of the most common ways that criminals target victims using tech.
And that means that these dodgy calls often take similar forms, using the same old cons.
Google says that this has now made it possible to detect when a crook is scamming you live as it happens.
“We use AI models processed on-device to analyze conversations in real-time and warn users of potential scams,” said Google product manager Lyubov Farafonova.
“If a caller, for example, tries to get you to provide payment via gift cards to complete a delivery, Scam Detection will alert you through audio and haptic notifications
“And display a warning on your phone that the call may be a scam.”
The feature is switched off by default – so you’d have to turn it on if you wanted to use it.
And Google says that no conversation audio or transcription is recorded, stored on the device, or sent to Google.
Instead Google says that call audio is “processed ephemerally”, keeping it private.
It’s also worth noting that Google won’t use Scam Detection on phone calls with your contacts.
The feature will only kick in on “calls that could potentially be scams”.
Once you’ve got Scam Detection switched on, it will beep at the beginning of the call – and then during the conversation too.
This will notify call participants that the feature is active.
You can also turn it off at any time – including during an individual call.
HOW TO UPDATE YOUR ANDROID PHONE
Get the latest upgrades…
Updating your Android phone is extremely important.
For a start, it means you’ll get fancy new features to make your phone better.
But updates often include fixes that can repair security problems – or help you to stay safe from crooks.
You can check what software version you have by going into Settings > About Phone > Android Version.
And if you want to update, you can just go to Settings > System > Software Update.
Note that your Android phone will probably have worse battery life in the days following an update – but it should get better.
Picture Credit: Google
And Google says that in its tests so far, the feedback has been good.
“According to our research and a Scam Detection beta user survey, these types of alerts have already helped people be more cautious on the phone, detect suspicious activity, and avoid falling victim to conversational scams,” Lyubov said.
For now, Scam Detection for Calls is only available to anyone with a Google Pixel 9 or later – and only for English-language calls in the United States.
But it seems likely that the feature will eventually roll out more widely, given how much good it can do.
Google can also detect scams being conducted over text messages[/caption]
For instance, Google’s other AI scam-busting feature – Scam Detection in Google Messages – is already available in the US, UK, and Canada.
That flags up when you’re having a text conversation with scammers in Google Messages.
Google also hinted that the features could roll out beyond Pixel phones and land on other Android devices eventually too.
“With AI-powered innovations like Scam Detection in Messages and Phone by Google, we’re giving you more tools to stay one step ahead of bad actors,” Lyubov noted.
GOOGLE’S ‘GOLDEN RULES’ FOR AVOIDING SCAMS
#1 – Slow it down
Scams are often designed to create a sense of urgency. Take time to ask questions and think it through.
#2 – Spot check
Do your research to double check the details you are getting. Does what they’re telling you make sense?
#3 – Stop! Don’t send
No reputable person or agency will ever demand payment or your personal information on the spot.
Picture Credit: Google / The Sun
“We’re constantly working with our partners across the Android ecosystem to help bring new security features to even more users.”
