Use smartphones, devices to look up, call phone numbers? Don’t, experts warn

It’s tempting to do.

Smartphones and devices – equipped with things like Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant – make so many daily tasks easier. But there’s one job you shouldn’t ask your smart device to do, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Asking a smart device to look up and call a phone number can accidentally point you to a scam, compromising your personal information and possibly costing you time and money.

Here’s how it works, according to BBB:

You need a phone number for a company so you ask your home’s smart device to look up the number and dial it for you. A company “representative” answers but something is off. In some cases, the person on the other end will say they can help you only if you make a payment by wire transfer or prepaid debit card. Other times, they say they need remote access to your computer or point you to a scam website.

Before you know it, your personal information has been exposed or, in some cases reported to BBB, you’re charged activation fees or other costs paid to a scammer.

BBB said the scam happens when thieves create fake customer service numbers and bump it to the top of research results.

“These bad actors hope that when consumers do a voice search using Siri, Alexa, or another device, the algorithm will accidentally pick their scam number and an unsuspecting victim will contact them directly,” BBB said in a blog post.

To protect yourself, BBB recommends:

Be careful when searching for support phone numbers. Rather than doing an online search or letting your smart device look up a number, use the contact information on the business’s website (always double check the URL) on your bill, receipt, or in your confirmation email. Beware of fake ads. Scammers create bad ads with fake customer service numbers. Using voice search to find a number can make it harder to tell a phony listing from the real one. Get your information from the official company website or official correspondence. Go straight to the source. For example, if you need to contact Amazon, use the Amazon mobile app or website. This goes whether you’re seeking customer service, tech support, or when looking to make changes to your account. Visit the Message Center on Amazon.com or on the official app to review authentic emails from Amazon. Remember that reputable companies like Amazon will never ask you to provide payment information for products or services over the phone. 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. – al.com/Tribune News Service