BBB: Scammers are using Alexa, Siri to promote phony businesses
We're spoiled by the convenience of voice-activated assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Home. But when you request they call a business, you might not get the company you want.
According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers have figured out a way to work the system and bump their fake number for their fake company to the top of search results, often by paying for an ad.
Usually, your smart assistant isn't smart enough to know the difference, the BBB says.
If this happens, you may end up getting connected with a customer service representative who tries to get personal information, or even payment information, from you.
One victim told the BBB she used a voice search to find and call customer service for what she thought was a major airline. She wanted to change her seat on an upcoming flight, but the scammer tried to trick her into paying $400 in prepaid gftcards by insisting the airline was actually running a special promotion.
In another report, the BBB says a customer used Siri to call what he thought was the support number for his printer. Instead, he found himself in a tech support scam.
Those same phony numbers may also appear at the top of your own search results, experts say, so it's important to look out for the word "ad" in the listing. Instead of relying on a search, use the contact information on a businesses website, your bill or in a confirmation email.
Finally, anytime someone asks you to pay with a gift card or deposit a check for them, run, experts say. That's a total scam.
