GOOGLE has revealed how scammers use its name to trick users into giving away personal information and money.
The tech giant has a list of six major scams to watch out for on its support website.
Google explained: “By focusing on providing the best user experience possible, Google has earned a trusted brand name.
“Unfortunately, unscrupulous people sometimes try to use the Google brand to scam and defraud others.”
It goes on to list six scam alerts that should set alarm bells off in your mind.
- Google lottery scam
The first warning from Google is called “Unexpected Prize and Lottery Scams”.
This regards two types of scams.
One tells victims that they’ve won a “Google Lottery”.
The other tells victims that they’ve won a spontaneous prize from Google.
These scams are sent via email and can appear as a pop-up advert.
Google warns users that it doesn’t offer spontaneous prizes or a lottery and you mustn’t click any links regarding this or fill out any online forms.
- Google tech support scam
Be very wary about pop-ups claiming to be from Google tech support.
Google says there are third-party websites and pop-ups that pose as its tech support.
For Gmail help, you need to head to Gmail’s Help Center site.
Also, watch out for a similar Google workspace tech support scam.
- Google jobs, invoices, and goods scams
Google lumps these types of scams together under a “Google Impersonation” section on its website.
There are plenty of scams out there claiming to offer jobs at the company.
Scammers rely on the fact that plenty of people want to work at the famous tech giant.
Sometimes the job scam involves an email that states the recipient has been selected to work at Google but must pay for training.
Google says cyber criminals also impersonate it with fake invoices, adverts, and counterfeit goods for sale.
- Google Account recovery scam
The tech giant warns that this scam can happen via SMS or in your Gmail inbox.
Google warns: “If you receive a text message claiming your Google Account has been compromised, use a computer to go to Google Account security settings and review your recent activity to make sure no one unauthorized has accessed your account.
“Do not respond to unsolicited text messages with personal information.”
The email version will attempt to steal your details by claiming you need to update your Gmail account.
Google says: “The link provided in the email will appear to be https://accounts.google.com, but in reality the link will take the user to a site controlled by the phisher.”
- Google gift card scam
The tech giant says this scam should be reported to your local police department.
If you buy a fake Google Play gift card you can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission.
- Google blackmail & extortion scams
Google also warns users about cybercriminals using “Sextortion” via text and email.
It explains: “The individual recorded your webcam session.
“They contact you with a link to the video and instruct you to pay a fee or the video will be made public and distributed to contacts on your social network sites.”
You shouldn’t send money to the cybercriminals and you should report this behavior to the police.
Google says to request the removal of content like this and report it.
The tech giant also lists fake emails pretending to be from legitimate tax authorities and “too good to be true” vehicle scams in this section.
Apparently, scammers list cheap vehicles online and ask to be paid via Google Payments.
Google says: “The seller will send you an invoice that appears to be from Google Payments or Google Play, but will instruct you to make the payment via Google Play gift cards, Western Union, MoneyGram or bank transfer.”
The catch is “Google Payments does not accept wire transfers/bank transfers or payments via Western Union/MoneyGram, nor does it use any escrow type of payment.”