Fraud experts warn that scammers are increasingly using FaceTime and other video apps, leveraging artificial intelligence to impersonate trusted contacts and engineer convincing attacks that target unsuspecting consumers.
Consumers who have learned to dismiss suspicious robocalls may be facing a more convincing version of the same threat: scammers using FaceTime and other video apps to look like trusted contacts, fraud specialists warn. Clayton LiaBraaten, a fraud prevention expert at TrueCaller, told ABC7 Chicago that video has become a preferred channel for criminals because people instinctively treat a face-to-face exchange as safer than a voice call or text.
That trust is exactly what fraudsters are exploiting. According to LiaBraaten, scammers are leaning on the familiarity and intimacy of video to make their approach seem personal and authentic, sometimes with the help of artificial intelligence tools that can alter a caller’s appearance or voice. The aim is not merely to persuade a victim to pick up, but to create enough confidence to keep them engaged.
One common playbook involves impostors posing as tech support or bank staff. In those cases, criminals may claim there is a problem with a device or account, then push the target to share a screen, grant remote access or enter sensitive information while the call is still live. Malwarebytes reported in July that scammers have been using FaceTime to impersonate trusted organisations and drain bank accounts, while CBS News described cases in which victims were first lured by text messages about supposed account trouble before being steered on to FaceTime for “verification”.
Security companies and consumer advocates say the tactics are becoming more personalised. LiaBraaten said scammers increasingly research victims through social media and tailor their scripts to specific people, making the pitch more convincing and more dangerous. Help Net Security and ConsumerAffairs both reported that Apple has warned users not to trust unsolicited FaceTime calls asking for passwords, security codes, account details or immediate payment, particularly when the caller claims to represent a bank, government agency or other official body.
Experts say the safest response is to treat any unexpected video call from an unknown number as suspicious, even if the caller appears polished and professional. Consumers should never grant remote access to a device or move money at someone else’s request. Instead, they should end the call and contact the company directly using an official number from a card, statement or verified website, while also blocking and reporting suspicious numbers through their phone settings or wireless provider. Tools from carriers and third-party services such as Hiya, Nomorobo, TNS and TrueCaller can also help reduce unwanted calls.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
