Google has launched a new Android feature designed to prevent banking-related scams on US smartphones. Part of a pilot program aimed at stopping phone-based scams, the safeguard should help Android users protect their mobile banking information.
The feature works in a very specific yet high-risk scenario. When you receive a call from an unsaved number while actively screen-sharing, and then open a banking or fintech app on Android 11 or newer, your device displays a full-screen, bright red warning that scammers may be trying to access your finances. The warning includes a prominent “End call now” button that stops both the call and screen sharing instantly, 9to5Google reports.
What makes this protection particularly effective is a built-in 30-second pause that kicks in before you can proceed to your banking or fintech app. This delay disrupts the false sense of urgency and panic that scammers deliberately create to rush victims into making transfers or revealing banking details. The warning also reminds users not to follow the caller’s instructions or share personal or financial information.
Google initially tested this safeguard in the UK earlier this year, where it has already helped thousands of users end calls that could have cost them substantial sums. The US expansion includes partnerships with Cash App and JPMorgan Chase, with the company planning to bring these protections to more financial apps and regions in the future.