Google recently issued a statement to all Gmail users about a new fraud that puts their personal data at risk. Hackers carrying out fraud using the Google and Gmail logos claim that the account holder has won a prize for conducting a search.
Prize hunt scam for Gmail users
Google shared a warning emphasizing that Gmail account holders, in particular, should be cautious. The fake prize message sent by hackers to users may lead to the leakage of personal information. The software giant pointed out that by clicking on the fake link, personal data could be shared with hackers.
In fact, the “prize hunt scam” has been an ongoing campaign for years. However, Google made a series of suggestions to prevent Gmail owners from falling victim to it. They mentioned that the validity of suspicious messages sent by mail should be checked.
The search giant also shared some rules that users must follow to avoid such attacks. Scams often create a sense of urgency by indicating that the campaign is valid for a limited time. Therefore, account holders may share their data with fake links without proper verification.
Another suggestion is to check the details to verify the authenticity of the message. According to Google‘s statement, large companies or well-known individuals never prefer to make immediate payments. Even if there is a prize, it will be announced through official channels.
Google developed a website containing more tips to prevent Gmail fraud. By following these steps, Gmail users can avoid falling into the hackers‘ trap.