Is iPhone FaceTime Becoming a New Accomplice in Scams? Netizens Suggest Disabling the Feature

Is iPhone FaceTime Becoming a New Accomplice in Scams? Netizens Suggest Disabling the FeatureRecently, the hashtag "PoliceAdviseDisablingThisFeatureOnApplePhones" has become a trending topic on social media, sparking widespread concern among netizens. The incident stems from the recent surge in scams targeting iPhone users, with iPhone's built-in FaceTime feature acting as the "accomplice" behind these crimes

Is iPhone FaceTime Becoming a New Accomplice in Scams? Netizens Suggest Disabling the Feature

Recently, the hashtag "PoliceAdviseDisablingThisFeatureOnApplePhones" has become a trending topic on social media, sparking widespread concern among netizens. The incident stems from the recent surge in scams targeting iPhone users, with iPhone's built-in FaceTime feature acting as the "accomplice" behind these crimes.

Many netizens claim to receive dozens of FaceTime video calls every day, finding it overwhelming. Some have even shared their experiences of being scammed out of tens of thousands of yuan on social media platforms.

FaceTime, an integrated video calling software on Apple devices, is renowned for its clear picture quality and stable call quality. Its ability to achieve high-definition video calls even with low network bandwidth is attributed to its direct use of the iPhone's front camera and high-quality video transmission via H.264 encoding. Additionally, FaceTime supports features like screen sharing and a background window mode, making it a popular choice for users seeking a "video calling ceiling."

However, this seemingly convenient FaceTime feature also harbors security risks. When two Apple devices connect and activate FaceTime, the other party only needs to know your phone number or Apple ID to initiate a video call. The call interface features a "screen share" icon, which, when clicked, synchronizes all the actions and displayed content on your phone screen to the other party. While this functionality offers convenience for long-distance couples to interact, for example, listening to music or watching dramas together, it has also become a loophole exploited by scammers.

In numerous FaceTime scam cases, the screen sharing feature is the key tool for scammers to execute their schemes. They leverage this feature to view users' phone operations, including important information like text messages, bank payment passwords, and verification codes. Even more alarmingly, FaceTime allows for arbitrary modification of displayed nicknames. Scammers can manipulate the caller ID display to appear as "Public Security Bureau," "Anti-Fraud Center," and so on. If users fail to react promptly, they might fall prey to the scam, believing they are involved in a criminal case.

As confirmed by Apple's official customer service, the displayed nickname during a FaceTime call is the name set in the user's Apple account and can be freely edited. Moreover, FaceTime calls rely on networks, enabling them to bypass carrier interception. Since Chinese Apple users utilize FaceTime less frequently, scammers exploit users' unfamiliarity with the function to conduct their scams via FaceTime calls. Their tactics are similar to those employed in overseas phishing calls, typically involving three steps:

1. Sending FaceTime call invitations: Scammers impersonate government officials, customer service representatives, etc., using various methods to induce fear in the victim.

2. Directing the victim to click on malicious links or enable screen sharing: Scammers guide the victim to click on malicious links or open unknown websites to contact "relevant personnel."

3. Tricking the victim into transferring phone permissions to the scammer: Scammers deceive the victim into transferring money, obtaining loans, etc., before abruptly ending the FaceTime video call and disappearing.

It's important to note that FaceTime itself does not inherently pose a security risk, and users do not need to worry about their Apple ID being stolen. However, as strangers can initiate FaceTime video calls unilaterally, there's a risk of criminals using it for scams or sending harassing messages.

To effectively prevent FaceTime scams, iPhone users are advised to take the following steps:

• Disable FaceTime: If users rarely utilize FaceTime, they can directly disable it. Steps: Open the iPhone's "Settings" - locate FaceTime calls - select disable.

• Decline unfamiliar FaceTime calls: If frequent FaceTime use is unavoidable, it's recommended to decline all FaceTime calls from unknown numbers outside the contact list.

• Reject screen sharing requests: When receiving unfamiliar FaceTime call requests, resolutely decline any screen sharing requests. Typically, users receive a "Do you want to join screen sharing" prompt on their iPhone when the other party sends a sharing request. If not accepted, the screen will not automatically share. Users receive a prompt only at the beginning, and no further prompts are provided after the start of sharing.

• Exit screen sharing correctly: If users inadvertently enable "screen sharing", exiting it is not as simple as switching back to the main screen or other apps. One must click "Stop Sharing" to exit correctly.

• Enhance discernment between FaceTime calls and regular calls:

• Normal calls display the caller's location above the number, whereas FaceTime calls display "FaceTime Video" above.

• The background of normal calls is dark black, while FaceTime calls display a picture from the phone's front camera.

• The answer and decline icons for normal calls are both a single phone, while the answer icon for FaceTime calls is a camera, and the decline icon is an "x."

Notably, Apple previously sent iPhone users an urgent reminder to upgrade to iOS 17.5.1. Regardless of whether users blocked system updates, they received this reminder, highlighting the importance of this update. It is reported that iOS 17.5.1 incorporates an anti-fraud mechanism into the FaceTime video call feature, helping users prevent potential fraud during calls and other security risks, reducing the likelihood of encountering scam calls. Users who have been frequently subjected to FaceTime harassment in recent times are recommended to update to iOS 17.5.1 or later.

As technology advances, so do scam tactics. In addition to raising awareness, users must proactively learn new security knowledge to better protect their assets.