Microsoft Teams to Add Brand Impersonation Warnings to Calls

Microsoft is rolling out a new security feature for Teams that promises to make virtual communication safer: brand impersonation warnings during calls. With remote work and digital collaboration becoming the norm, identity fraud and phishing attempts have surged. Malicious actors are increasingly impersonating companies or colleagues to gain sensitive information, making tools like Teams potential vectors for scams.
By introducing these warnings, Microsoft is taking a proactive approach to protect users and organizations from social engineering attacks, reinforcing the platform’s reputation as a secure hub for workplace communication.
Why Brand Impersonation Is a Growing Threat
The rise of remote work during the pandemic accelerated the use of platforms like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Slack. While these tools made collaboration seamless, they also opened new opportunities for cybercriminals.
Brand impersonation occurs when a fraudster pretends to be a trusted company or contact to manipulate users into sharing information, clicking malicious links, or executing unauthorized transactions. On video or voice calls, this can be particularly effective because users may trust what they hear or see, not realizing the person on the other end is a scammer.
Microsoft’s move reflects a broader trend: tech companies are increasingly integrating AI and security intelligence to detect suspicious activity and protect users from fraud in real time.
How the New Feature Works
According to Microsoft, Teams will now display warnings if it detects a potential brand impersonation attempt during a call. For example:
If someone calls claiming to be from a well-known company but their account or display name does not match official branding, Teams will flag the call.
Users will receive a visual alert notifying them of a possible impersonation attempt.
The system will also provide guidance on how to verify the caller’s identity before sharing sensitive information.
These warnings are designed to prevent fraud without disrupting legitimate communication, ensuring that remote teams can collaborate securely while staying aware of potential risks.
Why This Matters for Businesses
For organizations, identity fraud is not just an annoyance — it’s a serious risk. According to recent studies, business email compromise (BEC) attacks cost companies billions annually. While Teams calls aren’t email, voice and video phishing attacks are becoming more common, particularly as attackers grow more sophisticated.
By alerting users to potential impersonation, Microsoft is helping businesses:
Protect sensitive data from unauthorized access.
Reduce financial risk caused by fraudulent requests.
Enhance employee awareness about digital threats.
Maintain trust in internal and external communications.
This feature is particularly important for large enterprises that rely heavily on Teams for meetings, client calls, and cross-department collaboration.
Integration with AI and Security Tools
The new brand impersonation warnings are part of a broader security push by Microsoft. The company has integrated AI and machine learning into its Microsoft 365 suite to detect suspicious activity, including:
Unusual sign-in locations or devices.
Phishing emails and links.
Account impersonation attempts.
By combining AI insights with Teams call monitoring, Microsoft can identify potential threats in real time, giving users the information they need to act cautiously.
Additionally, these warnings complement other Microsoft security tools like Defender for Office 365, providing a multi-layered approach to protecting enterprise communication.
Protecting Users Without Interrupting Workflow
One challenge for tech companies is balancing security with usability. Overly aggressive warnings can frustrate users and disrupt collaboration. Microsoft appears to be addressing this by only flagging potential impersonation attempts rather than labeling every unfamiliar call as dangerous.
The alerts are non-intrusive and provide guidance rather than restricting access. This approach encourages users to verify identities without slowing down productivity, keeping Teams effective for remote work while maintaining safety standards.
How Users Can Stay Safe
While Microsoft is introducing this new feature, users also have a role to play in maintaining security:
Verify unknown callers: Always check whether the caller is a legitimate employee or partner before sharing sensitive information.
Look for official communication channels: Emails, internal messaging apps, or company directories can help confirm identities.
Report suspicious activity: Teams allows users to flag unusual behavior, which helps improve security algorithms.
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Protects accounts from being hijacked for impersonation attacks.
Combining Microsoft’s tools with user vigilance creates a layered defense against fraud.
The Bigger Picture
This move by Microsoft highlights a broader industry trend: as digital collaboration becomes standard, companies must innovate to protect users from evolving threats. Brand impersonation is just one type of fraud, but it is particularly damaging because it exploits human trust.
By adding these warnings, Microsoft is not only protecting organizations from financial and data losses but also reinforcing user confidence in remote communication tools. Employees and clients are more likely to trust Teams knowing that safety measures are actively working in the background.
Looking Ahead
Microsoft plans to expand these warnings across more communication scenarios, including meetings with external participants, integration with Teams chat, and possibly even AI-driven identity verification tools.
As fraudsters become more sophisticated, tech companies will need to continue developing smarter, real-time security measures. Microsoft’s new feature is a step in that direction, signaling that safety and productivity can coexist in modern work environments.
For businesses and individuals alike, this is a reminder that digital vigilance is essential, even when working with trusted platforms like Teams.
Final Thoughts
Microsoft Teams’ upcoming brand impersonation warnings represent a proactive step in safeguarding users from identity fraud. With remote work becoming the new standard, tools that detect impersonation in real time are critical for protecting both sensitive information and organizational trust.
By combining AI technology, user education, and proactive alerts, Microsoft is addressing a growing threat without sacrificing usability. As digital collaboration continues to expand, features like these will become standard, ensuring that the convenience of remote work doesn’t come at the cost of security.