Google Search Leads to Costly Scam Call

An incident involving a reader named Rosette highlights the risks that can arise from Google searches. She ended up revealing her credit card number and birthdate to a scammer.

For many, a simple request like asking Siri to call a credit card company feels routine—just say the company name, and Siri dials it up. But for an 82-year-old woman named Virginia from Concord, Massachusetts, that routine turned into a near financial disaster.

Virginia thought she was calling American Express when she used Siri. Instead, she was connected to a fraudulent number. The conversation shifted from American Express to her Bank of America account, where a supposed $1,000 credit quickly morphed into an astonishing $100,000. Thankfully, Virginia recognized something was off before she acted.

This scenario illustrates how a Siri-connected scam can exploit our trust in what seems like a legitimate phone number. The Better Business Bureau has cautioned that fake customer service numbers can appear in voice searches. They’ve documented situations where voice assistants like Siri mislead users into contacting scammers instead of legitimate businesses.

Virginia’s Cautionary Experience

After her unsettling experience, Virginia reached out to share her story to warn others about how easily an otherwise safe phone call can go wrong. She recounted, “I needed to call American Express. Instead of using the number on my card, I asked Siri. It all fell apart from there. The number was fake, and I ended up speaking to someone who called himself a BOA Security Expert. When the conversation started inflating my credit from $1,000 to $100,000, I sensed trouble and quickly hung up.”

Virginia’s experience emphasizes how vulnerable one can feel when the call is initiated by oneself. She expected the service to be secure since she dialed out. That assumption gave the scammer an advantage.

How the Scam Worked

It seems that Virginia’s experience involved two common scam tactics: a fraudulent customer service number followed by an overpayment scheme intended to manipulate her into giving away real money.

Siri Made the Connection

Virginia opted to ask Siri for the American Express number rather than checking hers. While Apple claims that verified business information often appears across their services, including Maps and Siri, it’s unclear how that misleading number got linked to her request. Apple had not responded for comment by the time of reporting.

The Caller Posed as American Express

What made this setup particularly convincing was Virginia’s belief that she was connecting directly with American Express. She hadn’t answered an unknown call—rather, she initiated it herself. This familiarity can reduce one’s wariness before the scammer even introduces themselves.

The Better Business Bureau has highlighted this issue, noting that scammers often promote fake support numbers that can end up in online search results, potentially manipulated by voice assistants pulling from these misleading listings.

The Conversation Shifted to Bank of America

Eventually, she found herself speaking with someone claiming to be a Bank of America security staffer. This shift should have raised her suspicions. Bank of America has warned about instances where criminals impersonate bank representatives, often inventing urgent issues concerning accounts and requesting sensitive information.

A $1,000 Credit Becomes $100,000

Initially, Virginia sought a $1,000 credit. As numbers began to inflate, a bizarre proposition emerged—she needed to return an erroneous $100,000. Alarm bells rang, causing Virginia to question the entire premise and ultimately decide to hang up and freeze her bank account.

Did That $100,000 Really Appear?

It’s hard to ascertain whether that amount ever truly showed up in her account. Scammers often employ tactics like remote-access software to manipulate displays, creating the illusion of funds or transactions. Virginia didn’t reveal enough details to specifically identify the technique used against her.

What’s clear is that the scammer intended to make her believe the fictitious $100,000 was real, pushing her to return the excess amount. If she had complied, the money she sent would have been lost.

Protecting Yourself from Customer Service Scams

A scammer can easily gather enough personal information to sound credible. Here are several tips to help you protect yourself:

1) Use Official Numbers

When contacting banks or credit card companies, it’s best to use the number printed on your card or found within your banking app. Avoid using numbers that come from voice assistants or web searches.

2) Hang Up If Things Get Complicated

If a call takes an unexpected turn requiring money transfers or other complex maneuvers, it’s safer to disconnect and call back using a verified number.

3) Never Move Money in Response to a Call

Scammers might attempt to persuade you to transfer funds to “protect” them, which legitimate banks would never request. Never follow such instructions without verification.

4) Verify Unexpected Overpayments

If someone claims you need to return what appears to be an overpayment, don’t act immediately. Check your actual account status independently.

5) Guard Your One-Time Security Codes

Never share one-time codes that banks utilize for identity verification, especially if the requester is a caller whose legitimacy is uncertain.

6) Be Wary of Remote Access Requests

If someone asks you to install software for remote access to your device, end the call. Such tools can give scammers alarming control over your information.

7) Use Antivirus Software

Maintaining strong antivirus software can shield your devices from malicious links and files that criminals might use.

8) Enable Transaction Alerts

Setting up alerts for your transactions can help you monitor for suspicious activity quickly.

9) Implement Strong Password Practices

Use unique passwords and consider two-factor authentication for extra protection.

10) Verify Changes to Your Account

If unexpected changes occur, check your actual account through official channels instead of relying on information given by the caller.

11) Report Misinformation

If you encounter incorrect business listings, notify Apple so they can rectify such issues to prevent other users from falling victim.

What to Do If You’ve Already Fallen for a Scam

If you suspect a scammer has access to your financial data:

Terminate Contact Immediately

Stop responding to any messages or calls from the scammer.

Contact Your Bank Directly

Provide clear details about the situation to help safeguard your account.

Freeze Accounts if Necessary

Immediately freeze any accounts you suspect may be compromised.

Change Your Passwords

If necessary, update your passwords from a secure device.

Remove Any Remote Software

Disconnect from the internet and delete any unwanted remote-access programs.

Monitor Your Accounts

Watch for any unusual activity that might indicate a scammer has gained access.

Consider a Credit Freeze

If sensitive personal information was compromised, freezing your credit may help secure your identity.

Report the Scam

Inform your bank and file a report with the Federal Trade Commission as soon as possible.

Be Cautious of Follow-Up Scams

Be wary if you get subsequent calls claiming to assist with reparation of any losses from the initial scam.

Kurt’s Key Takeaways

Virginia’s story serves as a reminder of how intuitive actions, like calling a trusted number via Siri, can lead to unexpected dangers. She acted on her instincts when things became suspicious, preventing a potentially catastrophic loss. It’s essential to verify financial numbers just like you would for passwords. Always use the official number printed on cards or within apps rather than relying solely on a voice assistant or search results. After hearing this story, would you still trust Siri with critical calls? I’d love to know if you’ve ever found yourself in a similar situation—feel free to share your experiences.