WhatsApp upgrade will warn you about scam messages, as new rules force banks to offer £85,000 refunds
Scam text messages are a threat to millions of Britons, with millions lost to these crimes every year
A clever new scam detection tool, which can be accessed directly from WhatsApp, will check any text message to tell you whether it's safe.
Dubbed Ask Silver, this clever new safeguard tool leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) to check whether the suspicious text is a scam. It also works with emails or links to websites too.
Once you've signed-up for the service, Ask Silver can be set up inside WhatsApp, where it appears like any other contact within the app, so you can forward screenshots of text messages, emails, and other correspondence that you want to check using its AI model. Not only that, but Ask Silver will also send out regular alerts about fresh scams targeting Britons, so you can stay knowledgeable and vigilant of the very latest tactics.
You can forward anything to Ask Silver, the AI can check website links, QR codes, and text messages
ASK SILVER PRESS OFFICE
The arrival of Ask Silver comes as new rules come into force in the UK to force paying and receiving banks and payment providers to jointly refund anyone who loses money to scams, up to the value of £85,000.
Not-for-profit scam protection group Get Safe Online has partnered with the team behind Ask Silver to launch it to the public and help raise awareness about staying safe from online scams.
As well as checking suspicious messages, Ask Silver can suggest next steps, including reporting a scam to help save others from falling into the trap. It might sound like a small thing, but in reality, it's a critical step since research shows that a mere 13% of all scams are currently reported.
Get Safe Online Chief Executive Tony Neate said: "Despite new requirements for banks, it is imperative that all of us remain vigilant when it comes to scams. This fantastic new tool is revolutionary and we are recommending that people download and save Ask Silver to their WhatsApp contact list now and try it out. It’s so simple to use and if it saves you from a scam, what’s not to like?"
Ask Silver was created by Jonny Pryn and Alex Somervell after the latter's close family member was successfully scammed out of £150,000 — the vast majoirty of their life savings. When the scam happened, the family member was in a vulnerable stage of life. In total, they fell victim to three scams, spanning four months and nine individual transactions.
They're not alone: $1.026 trillion is lost to scammers worldwide every year.
Ask Silver founder Alex Somervell said: “In this digital age where scams are increasingly sophisticated and scammers are highly experienced, we must empower individuals with tools that enhance their vigilance and allow them to live, shop and buy without fear.
“Ask Silver provides that very support and now, by partnering with Get Safe Online, we are further strengthening our commitment to online safety and look forward to collaborating with the team a lot more in the future.”
Additional Reporting By Martyn Landi, PA Technology Correspondent