phone number Archives

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Google’s Phone app will tell you if a scammer is impersonating one of your contacts

Google's Phone app is introducing a feature to alert users about potential AI impersonation scams by flagging calls that appear to be from their contacts as suspicious. This update is part of the broader June Android update, which includes other enhancements such as support for Apple AirDrop, accessibility of the Personal Safety app for children under 13, AI-powered clothing try-on features in Photos, and improved search functionality for outfits. The Phone app will notify users with a message indicating that "Someone may be pretending to call from your contact’s number," allowing them to hang up if the call is deemed suspicious. This feature will be automatically enabled for users on Android 12 and later, starting with Pixel devices, and relies on a system where both the user and their contact must use the Phone by Google app to verify call authenticity through a "silent confirmation signal." The feature utilizes end-to-end encrypted rich communication services (RCS) technology.

Tech Optimizer

May 31, 2026

‘Your devices could be at risk’: how antivirus scams trade on fear

Many users receive emails claiming their McAfee antivirus protection is nearing expiration, offering an 89% renewal discount for same-day payment. These emails are not from McAfee but are attempts by cybercriminals to steal personal financial information. The emails often create a false sense of urgency and may contain inconsistent grammar and obscure sender addresses. Clicking links in these emails can lead to counterfeit websites designed to harvest personal data. Users are advised to verify their subscription directly on McAfee.com and report suspicious emails to McAfee and their email provider.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Google may be cutting free Gmail storage for new accounts down to 5GB

Google may reduce free account storage from 15GB to 5GB for users who do not link a phone number during signup. Users who connect a phone number can still access the full 15GB storage. Google has updated its support page to state "up to 15GB" of free storage instead of a guaranteed 15GB.

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

Google warns 7 million Android users to delete these 28 fake apps

28 Android applications were removed from the Google Play Store after being identified as scams by security researchers at ESET. These apps, part of a campaign called “CallPhantom,” falsely claimed to provide access to private call logs, SMS records, and WhatsApp activity. They attracted millions of downloads despite lacking legitimacy, offering fabricated data such as fake phone numbers and bogus call durations. Some apps charged users for “detailed reports” that either never arrived or contained nonsensical information. The apps did not steal phone data or install malware but instead promised illicit access and generated fictitious data. The primary targets of this scam were users in India and the Asia-Pacific region.

AppWizard

May 11, 2026

28 Android apps delivering bogus information were installed 7 million times from Google Play Store

The CallPhantom apps achieved 7.3 million installations on the Google Play Store but provided users with randomly generated data instead of legitimate information. ESET, part of the App Defense Alliance, discovered the deceptive nature of these apps and reported them to Google, leading to their removal. Some of the 28 identified apps had bypassed the official billing system, complicating refund processes. The investigation began with an app called Call History of Any Number, which falsely claimed to provide call histories for any number, despite being associated with a misleading developer name, Indian gov.in. The apps produced fabricated call histories by generating random phone numbers paired with fixed names and call details. They primarily targeted Android users in India and utilized the widely used UPI payment system. User comments in the Play Store warned others about the fraudulent nature of the service. The apps also employed tactics to lure users into paying for non-existent data, including fake email notifications prompting users to subscribe.

AppWizard

May 10, 2026

From BBM to Threema: How messaging apps and VPNs fuel terror networks in Jammu and Kashmir

The Blackberry Messenger (BBM) application has re-emerged in terror-related networks in Jammu and Kashmir, as revealed by the interrogation of an operative from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The Srinagar Police recently dismantled an LeT module, arresting Abdullah (Abu Hureira) and others. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is now investigating, focusing on BBM and other messaging apps used for coordination. BBM has a history of scrutiny, with the Indian government previously threatening a ban unless servers were established in India. In 2019, BBM became a paid service for corporate users. Investigators are tracking BBM Enterprise accounts linked to terrorism. Cybersecurity concerns persist in Jammu and Kashmir, especially regarding privacy-centric apps like Threema and banned applications like Element, which are believed to aid terror groups in evading surveillance. Other apps, such as Dust, face scrutiny for their ephemeral messaging features. The increased internet access has also allowed terrorist organizations to strengthen their networks, with some individuals posing as extreme nationalists having ties to radical groups.

AppWizard

May 10, 2026

From BBM to Threema: How messaging apps fuel JK terror networks

Srinagar has seen a resurgence of the Blackberry Messenger (BBM) application within the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror network, as revealed by the interrogation of a key operative. The Srinagar police recently dismantled an LeT module, arresting Abdullah (Abu Hureira) and others, prompting the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate. During questioning, it was disclosed that various communication apps, including BBM, Element, Threema, and Dust, were being used alongside mainstream platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. BBM was initially flagged by investigative agencies in 2009, leading to the establishment of servers in India in 2011-12 after the Indian government threatened a ban. However, BBM transitioned to a paid service in 2019, and investigators are now tracing accounts linked to terrorist activities. The Indian government banned 14 messaging applications in May 2023, including Element, due to their use by terror groups. Highly secure apps like Threema and ephemeral messaging platforms like Dust are under scrutiny for their potential to hinder intelligence gathering. The rise of the internet has facilitated communication for terrorist organizations, with the UN highlighting their exploitation of online platforms for propaganda and recruitment, leading to the adoption of Resolution 2354 in 2017 to combat terrorism online.

AppWizard

May 9, 2026

Fake Call History Apps Stole Payments From Users After 7.3 Million Play Store Downloads

Cybersecurity researchers from ESET have discovered 28 fraudulent applications on the Google Play Store that falsely claimed to provide access to call histories for any phone number. These apps have been downloaded over 7.3 million times, with one app alone accounting for over 3 million downloads. The operation, named CallPhantom, primarily targeted Android users in India and the Asia-Pacific region. Users were lured into subscription services, paying for access to fictitious data, including call histories and SMS records, but received only randomly generated information. Some apps were published under the developer name "Indian gov.in" to create a false sense of trust. Payments were processed through the Google Play Store or third-party applications like Google Pay and Paytm. Users who subscribed via Google Play may be eligible for refunds, while those who used third-party payment methods may not be able to recover their funds. The fraudulent activity may have been ongoing since at least November 2025.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Android alert: 7 million users downloaded ‘stalking’ apps that were actually scams

Security researchers at ESET uncovered a scam involving 28 applications named "CallPhantom," which collectively amassed over 7.3 million downloads on the Google Play Store. These apps promised access to call histories, SMS records, and WhatsApp call logs for any phone number, raising privacy concerns. They requested intrusive permissions from users' devices, leading to potential privacy violations. Payment structures varied, with some using Google Play's billing system and others circumventing it through third-party methods. ESET reported the apps to Google in December 2025, resulting in their removal from the Play Store. A recent search confirmed that these apps are no longer available.

AppWizard

May 8, 2026

Scam Android apps on Google Play got millions of downloads from a creepy pitch

Researchers uncovered a scam involving 28 fraudulent applications on the Google Play Store, collectively called "CallPhantom," which garnered over 7.3 million downloads. These apps promised access to call logs, SMS records, and WhatsApp history for any phone number, but users received fabricated data after paying a fee. The apps varied in appearance but shared a common strategy of generating random phone numbers and pairing them with pre-existing names and call details. Some requested email addresses to send the 'retrieved' history, but none had the necessary permissions to access the claimed data. Payment methods included Google Play’s official billing system and third-party platforms, with some apps misleading users into staying on subscription screens. ESET reported these apps to Google on December 16, leading to their removal from the Play Store.