(NEXSTAR) – Google is rolling out new, AI-powered tools to help stop scammers in their tracks, before they get your data or money. The company announced the new features, available on some Android and Pixel phones, this week.
The two features each work to identify and warn you of a possible scam while it’s unfolding, either over text or on a phone call.
When it comes to texting, the AI tool looks for suspicious patterns in Google Messages and alerts you when it appears the exchange is a likely scam. A pop-up message will appear, and you’ll have the choice of ignoring it and continuing the conversation or reporting and blocking the sender.
The texting tool will be enabled by default, but users can turn it off in their settings if they choose. It only activates when you’re having a conversation with someone who is not saved as a contact.
It works similarly when you’re on a phone call: AI models will listen in and analyze the conversation in progress. If the conversation seems to be following a typical scam pattern, like someone is trying to get you to buy a bunch of gift cards and deliver them, you’ll get an audio and haptic notification warning you the call may be a scam.
Unlike the text message detector, this one is turned off by default and you’ll have to switch it on if you’d like it to work on your phone. It’s being rolled out as an option for Pixel 9 users.
Both scam detection features protect users’ privacy, Google says, by only processing the conversations on the device. If you do choose to report a conversation after it’s flagged, only the sender or caller’s details, and the text message exchange in question, will be shared with Google and the phone carrier.
If your phone doesn’t have these features, or you choose not to enable them, there are other ways you can avoid being scammed and taken advantage of. The Federal Communications Commission advises you always verify who you’re speaking to, don’t answer calls from unknown numbers, don’t give out personal information over the phone and use caution anytime you’re rushed or pressed to provide information quickly. When in doubt, trust your gut and hang up if a conversation feels fishy.
