Avoiding Scams When Using Voice Assistants for Financial Calls

Using voice assistants to make calls is common. But it can lead to problems as an 82-year-old woman, Virginia from Concord, Massachusetts, discovered when she asked Siri to call American Express. She was connected to scammers who nearly stole her retirement savings.

Virginia had merely asked Siri to place a call. Instead of speaking with American Express, she reached a fake number. The situation escalated to her Bank of America account, where a supposed $1,000 credit turned into $100,000. Virginia recognized the scam before sending money.

“I never expected that a number Siri provided would lead to trouble,” Virginia stated. “I try to inform people now that calling a number can jeopardize your finances.”

The Scam Setup

The scam Virginia encountered combined two techniques: fake customer-service numbers and an overpayment scheme. When Virginia asked Siri to call American Express, she reached a bogus number. Scammers posed as American Express, using the trust she placed in Siri.

The scam shifted focus to Bank of America. The supposed bank expert fabricated an urgent issue with her account. The $1,000 credit suddenly jumped to $100,000. The scammer claimed this error couldn’t be corrected. Virginia saw through the ruse and froze her account.

Protecting Yourself

To avoid falling victim, take these steps:

• Use verified numbers: Call numbers printed on your card or from the official app.
• Be cautious with phone calls: If the caller’s story changes, hang up and use a verified number.
• Don’t move money to ‘protect’ it: Scammers might ask you to transfer funds. Don’t do it.
• Verify overpayments: Double-check unexpected overpayments with your bank directly.
• Guard security codes: Never share one-time security codes with unknown callers.
• Avoid remote-access software: Don’t install such software upon request from someone posing as support.
• Employ antivirus protection: Use antivirus software to safeguard against threats.
• Turn on alerts: Activate alerts for transactions and suspicious activities.
• Strengthen passwords: Use unique, strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.

Reacting to a Scam

If a scam happens, act fast:

• End contact: Ignore further communication from the scammer.
• Contact your institution: Use a verified contact to report the incident.
• Freeze affected accounts: Halt activity on compromised accounts.
• Change exposed passwords: Update passwords from a secure device.
• Remove remote-access tools: Uninstall any remote software added by scammers.
• Monitor account changes: Check for unauthorized transactions or alterations.
• Consider freezing credit: If sensitive info is exposed, freeze your credit.
• Report scams: Notify financial institutions and the FTC.
• Stay alert for follow-up scams: Scammers might attempt further contact.

Preventing Future Scams

Verify phone numbers like passwords—especially when dealing with financial matters. Confirm the source of the number. This practice creates a safeguard against potential scams.

Reflecting on Virginia’s experience, ask yourself: Will you still let Siri call your bank without checking the number first?

For further tips on avoiding scams, visit CyberGuy.com, where you can find the Ultimate Scam Survival Guide and receive updates through the CyberGuy newsletter.