Google’s new Android feature warns you when opening banking apps during calls from unknown numbers- a clever move to stop real-time phone scams in their tracks. Could this finally save users from losing money to live scam calls?
Google’s new android feature warns users about scams during banking calls
New Delhi: Google is rolling out a new safety feature on Android devices aimed at stopping phone-based financial scams at the moment they are most likely to succeed.
The feature warns users when they open banking or payment apps while on a call from an unknown number, a common tactic used by scammers to trick people into transferring money.
The new protection is activated under two conditions: the user is on a call with a number not saved in their contacts, and they open a supported financial app during the call. When this occurs, Android immediately displays a warning message alerting the user to a potentially risky situation.
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The warning provides simple, actionable options, such as ending the call or blocking screen sharing with a single tap. If the user chooses to continue despite the warning, Android introduces a 30-second delay before further actions in the app can proceed. Google says this pause gives users time to reconsider, preventing impulsive decisions under pressure.
Most phone scams follow a similar pattern: scammers pose as customer support representatives, claim there is an urgent issue with the user’s account, and try to convince them to open payment apps or enable screen sharing. Google’s new feature is aimed at stopping scams that rely on real-time manipulation rather than technical hacking, targeting the point when users are most vulnerable.
The feature works on devices running Android 11 or newer. Google has confirmed it is currently rolling out in India, a country heavily affected by phone-based financial scams. Initially, the protection is compatible with popular apps such as Google Pay, Paytm, and Navi, and Google plans to expand coverage to more apps in the near future.
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Testing in the UK showed promising results, with thousands of users able to end suspicious calls before losing money. Following these results, Google has expanded the feature to cover most major UK banks and launched pilot programs in India and Brazil.
Financial scams often succeed not because users are unaware, but because they are pressured during live phone calls. By placing a visible warning exactly where it is needed during the use of banking apps while on a call with an unknown contact Google aims to give users a critical moment to pause and avoid falling victim.
As the feature continues to expand to more regions and apps, it could significantly reduce the risk of real-time financial scams on Android devices.
