Several Gmail users have reported a scam in which hackers gain full access to their Google account. The scam, described by many victims as "devastating", was first identified in May last year but the number of cases has been increasing.
In this scam, hackers use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make realistic phone calls, in which users are warned that their Gmail access has been compromised.
The next step is for them to send emails, which appear to come from Google, with trustworthy-looking links. If you click, they steal your full access to your Google account.
"Scams are becoming more sophisticated, more convincing and are being carried out on an ever-increasing scale. This scam seemed legitimate enough. It's likely that many people will fall for the same trap," Sam Mitrovic, one of the scam victims, told UK website Metro.
In May, when the scam was first identified in the United States, the FBI confirmed that cybercriminals use AI to create “highly convincing” voice or video messages, carrying out “fraud schemes against individuals and businesses.”
"These sophisticated tactics can result in devastating financial losses, reputational damage, and the compromise of sensitive data," FBI agent Robert Tripp explained at the time.
How to avoid being a victim of an online scam?
To keep your personal data safe, please carefully review the email addresses that send you emails. If they have numbers or look strange in any way, delete them.
You should carefully analyze the logo of the company sending you the emails and compare it with the logo used on the brand's official website to make sure they are the same.
Also be suspicious if the email text message contains grammatical or spelling errors.
When it comes to links, hover over the hyperlink or copy the address to a Word document so you can see the URL without clicking. If you notice that the URL does not match the company's official website, do not click.
If you clicked on the link and a message appeared mentioning some type of payment, do not make any transaction. It is very likely a phishing scam.
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