Microsoft warns Teams users about scammers posing as trusted brands — here’s what’s changing

The Microsoft Teams app on a laptop arranged in New York, US, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Microsoft Corp. risks a hefty European Union fine after regulators accused the company of abusing its market power by bundling the Teams video-conferencing app to its other business software. Photographer: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images
(Image credit: Getty Images | Bloomberg)

Over the years, fraudsters and bad actors have become more cunning and are now leveraging sophisticated techniques, including generative AI, to dupe and lure unsuspecting users into their deceitful schemes.

It's increasingly becoming difficult to tell what's real and what's fake. However, Microsoft is attempting to make the process a bit easier for users with a new fraud detection feature for Teams calls.

Brand Impersonation Protection for Teams Calling adds proactive safeguards against fraudulent or deceptive external callers who attempt to appear as trusted organizations. This helps reduce social-engineering risks and improves tenant security when users receive first-contact external calls. This update aligns with Microsoft's ongoing investments in caller identity protection and secure collaboration.

Microsoft

As a precaution, Microsoft urges users to prepare for the new feature by supporting staff with information about the new feature and how the warnings about fraud in Teams calls will be enabled by default.

Elsewhere, Microsoft quietly changed the rollout date for its controversial Wi-Fi location tracking feature to mid-March. In case you missed it, the feature essentially snitches on your live location when your device is connected to the office Wi-Fi, raising concerns about corporate surveillance and micro-management as more organizations ramp up efforts on their return-to-office (RTO) plans.

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Do you trust Microsoft Teams’ new brand impersonation warnings to stop scam calls? Share your thoughts in the comments and cast your vote!


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Kevin Okemwa
Contributor

Kevin Okemwa is a seasoned tech journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya with lots of experience covering the latest trends and developments in the industry at Windows Central. With a passion for innovation and a keen eye for detail, he has written for leading publications such as OnMSFT, MakeUseOf, and Windows Report, providing insightful analysis and breaking news on everything revolving around the Microsoft ecosystem. While AFK and not busy following the ever-emerging trends in tech, you can find him exploring the world or listening to music.

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