Google alerts consumers to various Gmail Scams
The year is running to an end during this time scammers are always active using different methods to steal private information and attack your bank account. Google recognised the fact that scam like phishing is high during this period, and scammers use different methods.
Recently, Google stated that 231 billion spam and phishing messages were blocked which is a huge figure, it is 10% higher than the average volume over the years. Additionally, Google has provided a brief explanation of Gmail scam emails as well as other “red flags to watch out for.”
The following list of five typical frauds that may be active on Gmail includes:
1. Avoid those gift cards and freebies.
According to Google, scammers may “attempt to trick people into purchasing a gift card for them sometimes under the guise of a known contact using their account or present a free prize in exchange in order to get their credit card details” at this time of year. If you receive an email from a close person from anywhere requesting of you to purchase a gift card, make sure it worth it before clicking on it. According to Google, if “a giveaway seems too perfect to be realistic, it has a higher chance being fraudulent.”
2. Avoid being overly charitable.
As Google notes in their recent weblog post, “gifts related scams and phishing efforts occur at a very high rate towards the end time of year, causing harm to all of those who fell prey to the scams and the charities that would have benefited from the money generated.” Don’t give to anyone who requests that money be transferred to them personally rather than the charity, even if you want to.
3. Carefully renew subscriptions
As the year is wrapping subscriptions will get expired so there is a need for renewal. “Some of these emails sent and received by the user boost a very reliable email antivirus services this type of emails are used to deceive users promising a secured email antivirus protection ” Google stated. There could be scammers who create convincing fake messages. In such cases, always look for the sender’s email address. “If it appears suspicious, it may be fraudulent,” Google warns.
4. Follow the three golden rules
The following golden rules need to be followed to avoid falling victim to a scammer:
- Be patient: Scams are regularly designed and sent to the targeted user to create that feeling of haste and urgency tricking people.” Allow yourself plenty of time. asking questions and thinking about your options.
- Check your facts: Do your homework to ensure that the information deduced from the research constructed is putting you in the right direction. Does what they’re saying look realistic?
- Halt! Please do not send: No reputable individual or organization will ever demand payment or personal information at that instance
