Android gets measures against bank fraud
Android is getting improvements to combat bank fraud. An existing test, where the user gets an alert if the screen is shared and a financial app is open at the same time, becomes permanent. Previously, the feature was only tested at some UK banks, but is now being rolled out further. This means the feature is also coming to the United States. Also, the feature is coming to more banks in the UK. The functionality is also being tested in India and Brazil.
When you share your screen during a phone call and open a banking or financial app, the notification appears prominently on screen. In doing so, Android checks if the phone number is not in your address book. If it is, the system lets you know that you may be talking to a scammer. You are advised not to follow instructions, not to make payments, not to share information and to end the call. A large button in the pop-up allows you to hang up immediately as well as stop screen sharing.
If you want to ignore the warning, you are required to wait 30 seconds before you can continue. According to Google, this waiting time reduces the chance of being influenced. The pause breaks the sense of urgency or pressure that scammers often create, making you less likely to panic or act impulsively.
Google is further working on other extensions for these notifications. It is not known if there are any expansion plans for the Netherlands and Belgium.
