Google is rolling out a new Android safety feature meant to help people avoid one of the more unsettling types of phone scams: calls that appear to come from someone they know. Instead of focusing on unknown spam numbers, this one targets calls that look like they’re coming from a saved contact but may actually be a scammer spoofing that number.
According to Google, the new “fake call detection” feature works when both people are using Phone by Google. During the call, the phones quietly confirm that the caller is really using the contact’s device. If that check fails and the real contact’s phone indicates it is not making a call, the person receiving the call gets a warning telling them the caller may be pretending to be someone they know.
Google says the feature is designed to help protect people from scams that combine number spoofing with AI-generated voices. In plain terms, that means a scammer could make it look like your mom, boss or friend is calling and even sound like them. This new check is supposed to help catch that before the scam goes further.
The feature is enabled by default and is rolling out globally this month to Android 12 and newer devices, starting with Pixel phones. Google also says it will work on other compatible Android devices if users have Phone by Google, Google Contacts and Google Messages with RCS available. For everyday users, the big takeaway is simple: Android is adding a new warning system for calls that look familiar but may not be real.
Source: Google
