Google’s New Feature Verifies Calls to Stop AI Impersonation Scams

Google has introduced a new fake call detection feature for Android devices that identifies callers who use spoofed phone numbers and AI-generated voices to impersonate trusted contacts.

According to Google, scammers are increasingly combining phone number spoofing with AI voice-cloning technology, making fraudulent calls appear legitimate. In many cases, victims see a familiar contact name and number on their screen while hearing a voice that sounds identical to someone they know.

To counter this threat, the company developed a verification system that focuses on confirming the device making the call rather than relying solely on the caller’s voice.

“Even if scammers manage to copy someone’s voice, they may not be able to fake the phone behind it,” the company said while announcing the feature.

The system operates via what the company calls a digital handshake between Android devices. When a trusted contact calls using the Phone by Google app, their device silently sends a verification signal confirming that the call is genuinely originating from that phone.

If a scammer spoofs the number but cannot provide the verification signal, the recipient’s device checks with the actual phone associated with that contact. If the genuine device confirms that no call is being made, Android displays a warning indicating that the caller may be impersonating someone known to the user.

The technology is being rolled out globally through the Phone by Google app on Android 12 and newer devices, beginning with Pixel smartphones.

The company has also built the feature using Rich Communication Services (RCS), allowing other applications and companies to potentially adopt similar protections in the future.

The company is betting that verifying the source of a call may become one of the most effective ways to protect users from the next generation of AI-driven scams.