GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Tell Alexa to play for your favorite song. Ask Siri about the weather. Use Google Assistant to turn down the air conditioner. But don’t ask your smart device to look up a phone number.
The Better Business Bureau says that is because it may accidentally point you in a direction that you don’t want to go.
“Sometimes these artificial intelligence devices can pick up a scam phone number.”
Susan Bach of the Better Business Bureau says scammers are finding ways to create fake customer service numbers and bump them to the top of search results, often by paying for ads.
She says finding numbers should not be Alexa’s job.
“Do it the old fashioned way. When you are in search of phone numbers like that, go to your credit card statement or your devices support manual.”
She says you can also use the contact information on the business’s website (double check the URL), or in your confirmation email.
If you do end up dialing into a scammers number, the BBB says often the conversation will the scammer will take a wrong turn and it should be a red flag.
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.
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.
The BBB says it is important to make payments with your credit card. It’s easier to dispute a credit card payment. Paying by wire transfer or pre-paid debit card is like using cash. There is almost nothing you can do to get the money back.
