When an 82‑year‑old resident of Concord, Massachusetts, asked Siri to call American Express, the voice assistant returned a bogus phone number. The call quickly shifted to a supposed Bank of America “security expert” who claimed a $1,000 credit on her account had mysteriously grown to $100,000. Realizing the scam, the woman hung up and froze her account before any money left her retirement savings.
How the scam unfolded
Virginia, the victim, explained that she relied on Siri to dial the number printed on her credit‑card statement. Instead of the legitimate American Express line, Siri supplied a number that connected her to a fraudster posing as a bank representative. The caller told her that an error had produced a large credit balance and asked her to return the excess amount.
Scammers often combine two techniques: first, they insert fake customer‑service numbers into online listings that voice assistants pull from; second, they use an overpayment or refund scheme to pressure victims into sending real money back. In Virginia’s case, the fraudulent number appeared to be associated with American Express, giving the caller an immediate advantage.
Why voice assistants can be vulnerable
The Better Business Bureau has warned that fake business listings can surface in search results and be fed to voice assistants like Siri, Alexa or Google Assistant. When a device reads a phone number aloud and initiates the call automatically, users may lower their guard because they believe they have already verified the contact.
Apple states that business information—including phone numbers—can appear across its services, such as Maps and Siri. Place cards submitted by businesses or third‑party data providers may contain inaccurate numbers, and Apple does not always verify each entry before it becomes searchable.
Protecting yourself from similar fraud
Consumer‑protection experts recommend the following steps before making any financial call:
- Use the phone number printed on the back of your credit or debit card, or locate the official number within the bank’s mobile app.
- Never rely on a number supplied by a search result, sponsored ad or voice assistant for banking matters.
- If a caller asks you to transfer money, purchase gift cards, or move funds to another account, hang up immediately and contact your institution using a verified number.
- Be wary of any story that suddenly inflates a credit or refund amount—legitimate banks will never ask you to return money you never received.
Bank of America explicitly warns that it will never request customers to transfer money because of a fraud detection issue. The same caution applies to other banks and credit‑card issuers.
What to do if you suspect a scam
If you receive an unexpected call from someone claiming to be a bank representative, end the call and call the institution back using the official number. Monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity and consider setting up alerts for large transactions. You can also freeze your account temporarily while you verify the situation.
Virginia’s quick thinking prevented a potentially devastating loss of her retirement funds. Her experience underscores the importance of verifying contact information and staying vigilant when technology makes it easier for fraudsters to appear legitimate.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
