Google Rolls Out AI-Powered Scam Detection for Android Messages and Calls

Android's AI is scanning your phone for scam activity now in two ways

Cybercriminals have increasingly been using AI to scam their victims, often through text messages and phone calls. Now, Google is using a similar tactic to protect you from those scammers. Also: Did you get an E-ZPass text demanding payment? Don't click - it's a scam On Tuesday, Google announced two AI-powered scam detection features for calls and text messages on Android devices. The goal is to thwart more complex and sophisticated attacks, especially those that may seem harmless at first but then devolve into riskier territory. First up is scam detection for messages. Enhancing the existing spam protection in Google's Messages app, the new scam detection is designed to look for a greater variety of threats. With this option enabled in Google Messages, the built-in AI uses real-time detection to determine if and when a text conversation seems suspicious. Let's say you receive a text from a stranger that starts off innocently enough. But after a few back-and-forth messages, the conversation veers into an unexpected area. Once it detects a suspicious text, the on-device AI steps in to warn you that this is likely a scam. You'll then be given the option to dismiss the warning or report and block the sender. By checking the ongoing conversation for any red flags, Google's detection should prove more effective than other security tools that can only block or allow an initial text. The new detection works with SMS, MMS, and RCS messages, so you're covered no matter which format is used. Scam detection for Google Messages is turned on by default, though you can turn it off at any time if you want to opt out. It also affects conversations only with people not in your contact list. Also: Why rebooting your phone daily is your best defense against zero-click attacks Further, Google promises that your conversations will remain private. If you report a suspicious exchange, only the sender details and recent texts with that person are shared with Google and your mobile carrier. The new option is now rolling out in English across the US, UK, and Canada and will soon head to other countries. Next up is scam detection for phone calls. Rolled out last November as a public beta for some Pixel 9 phone users, this option also uses AI to analyze conversations in real time and warn you of a potential scam. However, this will continue to be a limited beta, though it's expanding in English to all Pixel 9 users in the US During the initial beta period, Google analyzed scam detection on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 6. The Pixel 9 devices used the more advanced Gemini Nano AI, while the Pixel 6 phones used a smaller on-device machine learning model. In the end, the Pixel 9 devices with Nano outperformed the Pixel 6. Also: What is vishing? Voice phishing is surging - expert tips on how to spot it and stop it And how does this work? Let's say someone calls you asking for payment via a gift card to complete a purchase. With the built-in AI on the alert, the detection feature will warn you through audio, haptic, and on-screen notifications of a potential scam. With scam detection for phone calls, Google again promises to protect your privacy. The feature won't kick in if you're speaking with a contact. The audio from the call is processed on the device but is not recorded, stored, or sent to Google or third parties. This option is turned off by default, so you'll have to manually enable it. Even then, you can turn it off at any time, even during a phone call. I give Google kudos for trying to one-up the scammers through the use of AI. I'd certainly like to see the scam detection for phone calls expand to more Android devices beyond the Pixel 9. But I guess Google has to start somewhere, especially since the device must support the latest advanced AI models.

Accidentally texting with scammers? Google's AI is here to stop the chat cold

Cybercriminals have increasingly been using AI to scam their victims, often through text messages and phone calls. Now, Google is using a similar tactic to protect you from those scammers. Also: Did you get an E-ZPass text demanding payment? Don't click - it's a scam On Tuesday, Google announced two AI-powered scam detection features for calls and text messages on Android devices. The goal is to thwart more complex and sophisticated attacks, especially those that may seem harmless at first but then devolve into riskier territory. First up is scam detection for messages. Enhancing the existing spam protection in Google's Messages app, the new scam detection is designed to look for a greater variety of threats. With this option enabled in Google Messages, the built-in AI uses real-time detection to determine if and when a text conversation seems suspicious. Let's say you receive a text from a stranger that starts off innocently enough. But after a few back-and-forth messages, the conversation veers into an unexpected area. Once it detects a suspicious text, the on-device AI steps in to warn you that this is likely a scam. You'll then be given the option to dismiss the warning or report and block the sender. Also: Why Gmail is replacing SMS codes with QR codes - and what it means for you By checking the ongoing conversation for any red flags, Google's detection should prove more effective than other security tools that can only block or allow an initial text. The new detection works with SMS, MMS, and RCS messages, so you're covered no matter which format is used. Scam detection for Google Messages is turned on by default, though you can turn it off at any time. It also affects conversations only with people not in your contact list. Also: Why rebooting your phone daily is your best defense against zero-click attacks Further, Google promises that your conversations will remain private. If you report a suspicious exchange, only the sender details and recent texts with that person are shared with Google and your mobile carrier. The new option is now rolling out in English across the US, UK, and Canada and will soon head to other countries. Next up is scam detection for phone calls. Rolled out last November as a public beta for some Pixel 9 phone users, this option also uses AI to analyze conversations in real time and warn you of a potential scam. However, this will continue to be a limited beta, though it's expanding in English to all Pixel 9 users in the US During the initial beta period, Google analyzed scam detection on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 6. The Pixel 9 devices used the more advanced Gemini Nano AI, while the Pixel 6 phones used a smaller on-device machine learning model. In the end, the Pixel 9 devices with Nano outperformed the Pixel 6. Also: What is vishing? Voice phishing is surging - expert tips on how to spot it and stop it And how does this work? Let's say someone calls you asking for payment via a gift card to complete a purchase. With the built-in AI on the alert, the detection feature will warn you through audio, haptic, and on-screen notifications of a potential scam. With scam detection for phone calls, Google again promises to protect your privacy. The feature won't kick in if you're speaking with a contact. The audio from the call is processed on the device but is not recorded, stored, or sent to Google or third parties. This option is turned off by default, so you'll have to manually enable it. Even then, you can turn it off at any time, even during a phone call. I give Google kudos for trying to one-up the scammers through the use of AI. I'd certainly like to see the scam detection for phone calls expand to more Android devices beyond the Pixel 9. But I guess Google has to start somewhere, especially since the device must support the latest advanced AI models.

Google Rolls Out AI Scam Detection for Android to Combat Conversational Fraud

Google has announced the rollout of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered scam detection features to secure Android device users and their personal information. "These features specifically target conversational scams, which can often appear initially harmless before evolving into harmful situations," Google said. "And more phone calling scammers are using spoofing techniques to hide their real numbers and pretend to be trusted companies." The company said it has partnered with financial institutions to better understand the nature of scams customers are encountering, thereby allowing it to devise AI models that can flag suspicious patterns and deliver real-time warnings over the course of a conversation without sacrificing user privacy. These models run completely on-device, alerting users in the event of a likely scam. Users then have an option to either dismiss or report and block the sender. The setting is enabled by default and applies only to conversations with phone numbers that are not in the device's contact list. The tech giant also emphasized that users' conversations remain private and that if they choose to report a chat as spam, then the sender details and recent messages with that sender are shared with Google and carriers. The feature is launching in English first in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada, with broader expansion planned for a later date. Furthermore, a similar scam detection for phone calls is being expanded to all English-speaking Pixel 9+ users in the U.S. The feature was first introduced in November 2024. It's worth pointing out that while this feature is off by default to give users control, the call audio is processed ephemerally and is never used during phone calls with contacts. "If enabled, Scam Detection will beep at the start and during the call to notify participants the feature is on," Google said. "You can turn off Scam Detection at any time, during an individual call or for all future calls." The development comes weeks after Google revealed that more than 1 billion Chrome users are using the Enhanced Protection mode of Safe Browsing in the web browser. "If you turn on Enhanced Protection, much of the additional protection you receive comes from advanced AI and machine learning models designed to spot dangerous URLs engaging in known phishing, social engineering, and scam techniques," the company said. "Safe Browsing's Enhanced Protection models can identify URLs designed to look similar to trusted domains. It also uses advanced AI and machine learning techniques to protect you from dangerous downloads."

Google releases AI-driven scam detection for Messages in Android: How it works

It's 2025, and scammers are out in full force, thanks in no small part to new GenAI tools that make them sound scarily convincing. They might pose as your friendly courier driver, bank's fraud department, or your telecom provider's customer care representative - and after just a few unsuspecting messages or convincing small talk, their nefarious scheme can rob you blind. Against this backdrop, Google has just unveiled an AI-powered Scam Detection feature for Google Messages, aiming to shield Android users from malicious social engineering scams. Also read: Woman loses over Rs 15 lakh in online trading scam: How to avoid falling for such frauds If you're reading this thinking you already have spam filters on your Android phone, you're not wrong. Google had spam protection for years. But so many criminals these days are using more advanced, more casual "conversation-style" approaches - a far cry from the old spam messages about winning some obscure lottery. Today's scams might start with a friendly hello and then, weeks later, ask you for personal info or lure you to switch to a suspicious messaging app. That's what Google wants to stop - the pivot from innocent to shady right in the middle of an ongoing chat. Scamming is a huge industry. Some estimates put it at over $1 trillion from mobile users alone - underscore the staggering scope of the problem. As arguably one of the largest gatekeepers for Android messages worldwide, if Google can stamp out mid-conversation scams, that's a big plus. The technology to do so, ironically, is also driven by AI advances. In a blog post, Google highlights how crucial it was to partner with global financial institutions to get insights on how these new brand of text scammers operate. This lead to development of an AI solution that catches the nuance of someone calling you "friend," building you up with compliments, or gradually weaving in personal questions. The first red-flag message might not appear until you're already a half-dozen texts in. Under the hood, Google has significantly beefed up the on-device AI that powers real-time scanning of SMS, MMS, and RCS messages. The feature is called Scam Detection, which is part of an expanded "Spam Protection" suite in Google Messages. If a conversation with an unknown contact starts turning fishy - like asking for personal details or referencing suspicious URLs - Google Messages will throw up a warning. You get a bright, unmistakable banner: "Likely scam: Suspicious activity detected." From there, you can decide whether to block, report, or dismiss the alert if you're certain your aunt is simply being weird. Google insists all your message processing remains local on your device. So it's not shipping entire transcripts to some Google server for analysis. That helps quell privacy fears. If you do choose to report a conversation to help the AI improve, you're sharing only the sender's info and the recent messages with them, not your entire chat history, according to Google. Also read: Gemini in Google Messages: Chat with AI to draft messages, brainstorm ideas & more An important caveat to remember here: Scam Detection only applies to messages from strangers. Once you've saved someone to your contacts, Google's scam detection doesn't monitor conversations or messages you exchange with them. The rationale is that if you've added them, it's presumably someone you trust or at least want to text with. And if you do want to turn off the feature, you can disable Spam Protection (and therefore Scam Detection) in your Google Messages settings, though that's probably unwise for most folks. From a user perspective, the beauty of Scam Detection is that it's built into Google Messages. There's no extra app to install, no advanced toggles - just a default safety net for English-speaking users in the US, UK and Canada (with expansions "soon," says Google). So it's not just for the tech-savvy or the privacy hawk - it's for everyday Android owners. Additionally, the fact that it's on-device (rather than remote scanning) might let the detection be more immediate, less reliant on a constant data link. Combine that with Google's relentless push for RCS messaging - where end-to-end encryption and advanced features exist - and you see a future where texting is both more advanced and more secure from mid-chat con artists. Of course, no system is foolproof. Scammers are agile. As generative AI ups scammers' game, our defense systems need an AI edge, too. So Google's Scam Detection for Messages is less a random feature drop and more a sign of the times - a natural evolution to keep pace with criminals who can spin convincing yarns in seconds.

Google Messages Rolls Out AI Scam Detection for Android Users

Disclaimer: This content generated by AI & may have errors or hallucinations. Edit before use. Read our Terms of use Google Messages has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI)-based feature to protect Android users from text message-based scams. The new AI-powered scam detection tool aims to tackle messages that start harmless but eventually turn dangerous for the user, according to a blog post by the company. "If Google Messages suspects a scam, you'll receive a real-time warning so you can easily block and report the conversation. This feature can help protect you before you lose money or sensitive information," the company explained, adding that users would not have to worry about their conversations being made public, as the scam detection would take place on the device. How Would It Work? To demonstrate, Google attached the following image of a probable scam scenario: The image displays an Android user receiving a text from an unknown number asking if they are 'Mary.' While the user replies that they are not the intended recipient, the sender introduces themselves as a financial adviser, saying they were trying to reach a client with some investment information. At this point, the scam detection tool kicks into action, displaying a pop-up message alerting the user about the incoming texts being a 'Likely Scam', alongside a further note that 'common scams often start this way'. Rollout According to a report by The Verge, Google will first launch the feature in English in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, with plans to expand to other countries later. Why it Matters Interestingly, even though Google's attempt at securing users from potential scams can see benefits, a concern that rises to the fore following this has more to do with handling user data. "The feature is on by default and only monitors conversations with people who aren't saved to your contacts list," the report further notes, which raises questions as to what Google does with users' responses to messages from random senders. To put it simply, whatever information a user reveals about themselves after being prompted with such an uninitiated conversation is accessible by the company. While a single instance might not be enough to accumulate enough data about an individual, repeated potential scam-like situations, to which the user responds and provides data about themselves initially, can likely be enough to structure the profile of that particular person. This, when seen in the context of data privacy and data collection norms under jurisdictional regulations such as India's draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, that operationalises the DPDP Act, 2023, could lead to companies having to rethink collecting user data and related consent. Also Read:

New Google feature flags when you might be getting scammed in real time

(NEXSTAR) - Google is rolling out new, AI-powered tools to help stop scammers in their tracks, before they get your data or money. The company announced the new features, available on some Android and Pixel phones, this week. The two features each work to identify and warn you of a possible scam while it's unfolding, either over text or on a phone call. When it comes to texting, the AI tool looks for suspicious patterns in Google Messages and alerts you when it appears the exchange is a likely scam. A pop-up message will appear, and you'll have the choice of ignoring it and continuing the conversation or reporting and blocking the sender. The texting tool will be enabled by default, but users can turn it off in their settings if they choose. It only activates when you're having a conversation with someone who is not saved as a contact. It works similarly when you're on a phone call: AI models will listen in and analyze the conversation in progress. If the conversation seems to be following a typical scam pattern, like someone is trying to get you to buy a bunch of gift cards and deliver them, you'll get an audio and haptic notification warning you the call may be a scam. Unlike the text message detector, this one is turned off by default and you'll have to switch it on if you'd like it to work on your phone. It's being rolled out as an option for Pixel 9 users. Both scam detection features protect users' privacy, Google says, by only processing the conversations on the device. If you do choose to report a conversation after it's flagged, only the sender or caller's details, and the text message exchange in question, will be shared with Google and the phone carrier. If your phone doesn't have these features, or you choose not to enable them, there are other ways you can avoid being scammed and taken advantage of. The Federal Communications Commission advises you always verify who you're speaking to, don't answer calls from unknown numbers, don't give out personal information over the phone and use caution anytime you're rushed or pressed to provide information quickly. When in doubt, trust your gut and hang up if a conversation feels fishy.

Google Messages is using AI to detect scam texts

The Scam Detection feature will kick in if it detects suspicious activity from strangers you're texting with. "Traditional spam protections are focused on protecting users before the conversation starts, and are less effective against these latest tactics from scammers that turn dangerous mid-conversation and use social engineering techniques," says Alberto Pastor Nieto, senior product manager for Google Messages. "To better protect users, we invested in new, intelligent AI models capable of detecting suspicious patterns and delivering real-time warnings over the course of a conversation, all while prioritizing user privacy."

New Android features to help you stay connected and safe

1. Report and block scams with real-time alerts on suspicious texts Protect yourself from fraud with AI-powered Scam Detection. Google Messages now uses AI to flag conversational text patterns commonly associated with scams, so you can identify messages that seem harmless, but turn dangerous over time. If Google Messages suspects a scam, you'll receive a real-time warning so you can easily block and report the conversation. This feature can help protect you before you lose money or sensitive information. Scam Detection happens on your device, so your conversations remain private. Learn more about Scam Detection on the Google Online Security blog.