Google is rolling out a new Android security feature designed to identify and warn users about spoofed phone calls from scammers pretending to be trusted contacts. The company says the technology is aimed at combating a growing wave of fraud powered by AI voice-cloning and caller ID spoofing.
The feature, called Fake Call Detection, is being introduced through the Phone by Google app. It works by verifying whether an incoming call is actually originating from the device associated with a saved contact. If Android cannot confirm the call’s authenticity, users receive a warning that the caller may not be who they appear to be.
According to Google, the system is designed to address a common scam technique in which attackers spoof the phone number of a friend, family member, or colleague. Victims are then pressured into sending money, sharing personal information, or responding to a fabricated emergency. The rise of generative AI has made these scams more convincing by allowing criminals to imitate voices in real time.
The verification process relies on secure signals exchanged between Android devices using Phone by Google. Both the caller and recipient must be using the app for the feature to function. When verification fails, Android displays a warning message and may remove identifying elements such as the contact name and photo to indicate that the call cannot be trusted.
Google says the protection builds on its existing anti-scam efforts, including verified financial calls, which help users determine whether a caller claiming to represent a bank or financial institution is legitimate. The company has increasingly focused on phone-based fraud as scammers adopt AI tools capable of creating realistic impersonation attacks.
The new feature is part of Google’s June Android update and is initially rolling out to supported Android devices running Android 12 or later. Reports indicate the protection currently works only when both parties use compatible Android devices and the Phone by Google application. Calls from landlines, unsupported devices, or users outside the ecosystem may not be eligible for verification.
Google has not disclosed how quickly the feature will become available across all Android devices. However, the company said the rollout is intended to help users identify impersonation attempts before they engage with callers who may be using spoofed numbers or AI-generated voices to commit fraud.