Consumer advocates warn of scammers using FaceTime to steal people’s money

(CBS, KYMA) - There is a growing problem across the country as scammers are using FaceTime to pose as banks and steal people's money.

Consumer advocates say they're tracking a rise in cases where scammers are utilizing FaceTime.

Apple's own support site lays out how these scams work. It often starts with a text message about suspicious activity on people's bank account or credit card.

Then, the scammer says they need additional verification, and that's when they switch the call to FaceTime.

Once they're on video, victims are talked into sharing their screen while logging into online banking. The scammer watches in real time as victims expose their passwords, account numbers and even one-time security codes.

When asked why scammers are using FaceTime, Apple says it's because people trust it as it's built into the phone, so victims let their guard down.

Apple says if anyone gets a suspicious FaceTime call from what looks like a bank, send a screenshot of the call directly to them.

To do that, open FaceTime, tap the info button next to the call, take a screenshot and email it to reportfacetimefraud@apple.com.