Use caution when asking for auto dial from a smart device
Voice search: it’s easy and convenient. Tell Alexa to play your favorite song. Ask Siri about the weather. Use Google Assistant to turn down the air conditioner. But don’t ask your smart device to look up a phone number, because it could accidentally point you to a scam.
HOW THE SCAM WORKS
You need the phone number for a company, so you ask your home’s smart device, which might be Google Home, Siri or Alexa, to find and dial it for you. But when the company’s “representative” answers, you start to notice some red flags. This representative may insist they can only help you if you make a payment by wire transfer or prepaid debit cards. Other times, they demand remote access to your computer or point you to a scam website.
Tips to avoid this scam:
• Be careful when searching for support phone numbers. Rather than doing an online search or letting your smart device look up a number, use the contact information on the business’s website (always double check the URL) on your bill, receipt or in your confirmation email.
• Beware of fake ads. Scammers create bad ads with fake customer service numbers. Using voice search to find a number can make it harder to tell a phony listing from the real one. Get your information from the official company website or official correspondence.
• Go straight to the source. For example, if you need to get in touch with Amazon, use the Amazon mobile app or website.
This goes whether you’re seeking customer service, tech support, or when looking to make changes to your account. Visit the Message Center on Amazon.com or on the official app to review authentic emails from Amazon. Remember that reputable companies like Amazon will never ask you to provide payment information for products or services over the phone.
• Make payments with your credit card. It’s easier to dispute a credit card
payment. Paying by wire transfer or prepaid debit card is like using cash. There is almost nothing you can do to get the money back.
Check out tips from the Ftc.gov on security and smart home devices. To learn more about scams, go to Bbb.org/scamtips. If you’ve been targeted by this scam, help others avoid the same problem by reporting your experience on Bbb.org/scamtracker
Yuma-based John Hessinger is community development director of the Better Business Bureau serving the Pacific Southwest. Contact him at
or 928919-7940.