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August 18, 2019 08:34 pm
Original Link: http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/EzfzUdsb9IQ/alexa-siri-and-google-home-can-be-tricked-into-sending-callers-to-scam-phone-numbers
Alexa, Siri, and Google Home Can Be Tricked Into Sending Callers To Scam Phone Numbers
"Don't ask your smart device to look up a phone number, because it may accidentally point you to a scam," warn the consumer watchdogs at the Better Business Bureau:You need the phone number for a company, so you ask your home's smart device -- such as Google Home, Siri, or Alexa -- to find and dial it for you. But when the company's "representative" answers, the conversation takes a strange turn. This representative has some odd advice! They may insist on your paying by wire transfer or prepaid debit card. In other cases, they may demand remote access to your computer or point you to an unfamiliar website. Turns out, that this "representative" isn't from the company at all. Scammers create fake customer service numbers and bump them to the top of search results, often by paying for ads. When Siri, Alexa, or another device does a voice search, the algorithm may accidentally pick a scam number. One recent victim told BBB.org/ScamTracker that she used voice search to find and call customer service for a major airline. She wanted to change her seat on an upcoming flight, but the scammer tried to trick her into paying $400 in pre-paid gift cards by insisting the airline was running a special promotion. In another report, a consumer used Siri to call what he thought was the support number for his printer. Instead, he found himself in a tech support scam. People put their faith in voice assistants, even when they're just parroting the results from search engines, the BBB warns. The end result? "Using voice search to find a number can make it harder to tell a phony listing from the real one."Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Original Link: http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdot/~3/EzfzUdsb9IQ/alexa-siri-and-google-home-can-be-tricked-into-sending-callers-to-scam-phone-numbers
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