Since the inception of Android smartphones, scams have proliferated, targeting users through various applications, particularly in the realm of banking. Google is now addressing one specific type of scam: screen-sharing bank scams. This endeavor appears to be part of an upcoming update for Google Play Services on Android. Screen-sharing scams typically follow a familiar pattern.

Scammers pose as customer support representatives from the victim’s bank, engaging the individual before persuading them to grant remote access through screen-sharing software. Once access is granted, the scammer directs the victim to log into their bank account and swiftly transfers funds out of their account. The simplicity of this method makes it effective, especially for those unaware that such scams exist. Google’s new protective measures aim to combat this threat by implementing a scam detection feature.

This feature assesses various indicators to determine the legitimacy of the caller. For example, it checks if the caller is a contact in the user’s phone. If not, the system initiates a scam detection routine, further analyzing clues such as whether any banking app is currently open or if screen-sharing is active. If these conditions raise red flags, users will receive alerts potentially identifying the caller as a scammer.

While this system does not provide absolute security, it could significantly reduce the likelihood of users falling victim to such schemes. Although this scam detection feature has been exclusive to Pixel devices until now, there are indications that it may soon be available to all Android users. Recent findings from Android Authority suggest this feature is being introduced in the latest beta version of Google Play Services, signifying a broader rollout in the future. The timeline for its official launch, however, remains uncertain.