iPhone users beware: Scammers are using FaceTime to steal bank information

If you’re constantly receiving scam calls and text messages, you know that not all scammers follow the same approach. Modern CBS report It found that thieves were impersonating bank representatives to trick people into answering FaceTime calls to “verify” their bank accounts, thereby stealing their banking information.

These schemes work because scammers know how to exploit people’s anxiety, Justin Brockman, director of technology policy at Consumer Reports, tells CNET. “They create a false sense of urgency to get you to take immediate steps or something catastrophic will happen,” he says.

FaceTime scammers are said to first send a call or text message claiming to be an urgent bank account or credit card alert requiring your attention. The number is included in the message that you are expected to call to contact the scammer. During the call, the scammer may request additional verification and ask you to answer their FaceTime video call. FaceTime video allows scammers to manipulate you into sharing your screen and, in the process, steal your passwords, account numbers, and more.

Victims of this fraud have come forward Reddit threadsAnd even a CBS News reporter Matt Gutman posted on X About how he fell for this scam. All scammers need is a small percentage of people to respond to make these efforts profitable, and video calls are one way to lure a victim, John Breault, vice president of public policy, communications and fraud at the National Consumer League, tells CNET.

“Video conferencing has grown in recent years, and we’ve seen a lot of reports, particularly about scam aggregators in places like Southeast Asia, where they have very sophisticated combinations to make it look like the person FaceTiming you is actually who they say they are,” Breault says.

In the age of artificial intelligence, it has become easier to impersonate someone since there are tools that can deep fake audio and video, resulting in a convincing video call.

“Because of all the information available about us in the modern era, coupled with AI tools, attackers can easily fine-tune and customize their attacks at scale to make them appear more realistic,” Brockman says.

FaceTime Scam Red Flags

If you’re suddenly contacted about your bank account or credit card being hacked and you’re not sure if you can trust the message, there are some red flags to watch out for:

• The bank will never ask you to use FaceTime: A trusted organization will never attempt to make a video call with you if there is a problem with your account. “The way consumers should react if they receive these types of suspicious requests is to not respond and call the number on the back of your credit or debit card,” Brockman says. This way, you can check with certainty if there is something that needs to be addressed in your account.
• Don’t click on links or call numbers you don’t know: If you’re the target of a scam text message that includes a link or number to call, it’s best to ignore it. “Instead, you should search online for the appropriate customer service number or online portal of the bank or provider you think may have been compromised,” Brockman says.

If you find yourself a victim of a scam

Although you can do everything to Protect yourself from scammersthere is always the possibility of letting your guard down. If you find yourself a victim of a FaceTime scam, there are some immediate steps you can take to protect yourself.

Immediately contact your bank or financial institution

Breyault recommends immediately contacting the company with the hacked account. “Although scammers often act quickly to try to drain money, especially bank accounts, contacting your bank can often help them take action to stop further intrusion,” he says. In some cases, consumers may be able to get a refund, but it depends on how quickly the attack is reported.

Use the security features on your phone

Learn about the security features of your smartphone to prevent fraud. “Consumers who use iPhones should know that they can silence FaceTime calls from anyone who isn’t already in your contacts,” Breault says. If someone not on your approved list tries to video call you, it will go directly to your history without your phone ringing.

Report spam

If you have an iPhone, don’t forget that you can report any spam you receive. The same applies if you receive fraudulent FaceTime messages. “You can go into your FaceTime call history, tap and hold on callers’ information and report spam, which will send that information directly to Apple,” Breault says.

Make sure your operating system is updated

You may want to think twice if you’ve been putting off updating your operating system. “Whether you’re using an Android device or an iPhone, make sure your operating system is as up-to-date as possible,” Breault says, adding: “This will help reduce the risk of fraudsters exploiting vulnerabilities in the operating system to try to get additional information from you that you don’t want them to have.” To keep your phone updated, you can rely on the automatic updates option, which will ensure that it stays updated as needed.

An Apple representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but A Recent Apple Support article On how to avoid social engineering scams, we share ways to protect your Apple devices. Some of Apple’s recommendations include:

• Never share passwords, security codes or private data or click on a link that someone sends you that you don’t know.
• is used Two-factor authentication And keep your contact information up to date. Never share your passwords or information with anyone.
• Never use Apple Gift cards To make payments requested by other people.
• See what a legitimate Apple email looks like if you have it App Store or iTunes Store purchases. Keep transactions private if you use them Apple Cash.
• Follow Apple’s privacy controls for Keep your Apple devices and data safe.
• Avoid downloading software from unverified sources. The same applies to links or attachments in suspicious messages.
• If you receive a suspicious phone call or messages claiming to be from Apple, contact Apple directly through its website Official support channels.

Ultimately, there’s only so much you can do to protect yourself from scammers, but it’s important to remain vigilant. “These types of attacks are becoming increasingly common, and scammers will continue to develop new attacks that will continue to evolve, so consumers need to develop a cautious and skeptical attitude about the offers they receive online,” Brockman says.