In an age of convenience and connectivity, the use of smart devices like Google Home, Siri, and Alexa has become increasingly common. From playing our favorite songs to checking the weather or even adjusting the air conditioner, these devices have made life more convenient. However, there's a new scam on the rise, and it's essential to stay informed to avoid falling victim.
How the Scam Works: Imagine you need to contact a company, and instead of manually searching for their phone number, you ask your smart device to find and dial it for you. Whether it's Google Home, Siri, or Alexa, these devices are designed to make life easier. But, unfortunately, scammers have found a way to exploit this convenience.
When the "representative" from the supposed company answers your call, you may start noticing some alarming signs. They might insist that they can only assist you if you make a payment through wire transfer or prepaid debit cards. In other instances, they could request remote access to your computer or redirect you to a scam website.
One victim shared their experience with the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker, saying, "I used Siri to look up the United Airlines customer service line. Somehow, the call was connected to a different company… The agent pretended to be a United Airlines agent and said he could help me cancel my flight. The fee was $125. I was convinced it was United Airlines, but the next day I realized my mistake. They said they would refund my money, but only after I threatened to call the police. I'm still waiting for a refund."
In another variation of this scam, a consumer attempted to use voice search to contact Roku with a question about setting up their device. Instead, the person posing as a Roku representative charged them an $80 "activation fee" for a non-existent service.
In all these instances, the so-called "representative" has no affiliation with the company you were originally searching for. Scammers create counterfeit customer service numbers, manipulating search algorithms to make their fraudulent numbers appear at the top of the search results. They're banking on the hope that when you use Siri, Alexa, or another smart device for voice search, their phony number will be selected, and you'll contact them directly.
Tips to Avoid Falling Victim to This Scam:
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Be cautious when searching for support phone numbers: Instead of conducting an online search or relying on your smart device, use the contact information found on the official business website. Always double-check the website's URL, and use information from your bill, receipt, or confirmation email.
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Watch out for fake ads: Scammers create deceptive advertisements featuring fake customer service numbers. Using voice search can make it harder to distinguish a fake listing from a genuine one. Get your information directly from the official company website or their official communications.
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Go straight to the source: If you need to get in touch with a company like Amazon, use their official mobile app or website. Whether you're seeking customer service, tech support, or making account changes, visit the company's official channels. Review authentic emails from the company through their official app or website. Remember that reputable companies will never ask for payment information over the phone.
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Make payments with your credit card: Paying with a credit card provides more protection. Wire transfers or prepaid debit cards are like using cash, and it's incredibly challenging to recover the money in case of fraud.
Stay informed and vigilant to protect yourself from these smart device-related scams. Your convenience shouldn't come at the cost of your financial security.
