Google Warns Billion Gmail Users of Targeted Phone Scam

Google has issued multiple warnings to Gmail users about a resurgence of sophisticated scams targeting the platform’s over one billion users worldwide. The latest scam involves fraudsters making phone calls posing as Google employees, claiming the need to verify changes to recovery account details, and requesting two-factor authentication codes to gain unauthorized access. These calls often appear to come from legitimate Google numbers and use official-looking email addresses, employing pressure and fear tactics to manipulate victims. Google clarified it will never call users unprompted or request verification codes, urging vigilance and advising users to hang up and report suspicious contacts. Additionally, a separate phishing threat exploits Google’s infrastructure by sending convincing fake law enforcement summons emails from official-looking addresses to trick users into credential theft. These alerts underscore the importance of careful scrutiny of communications claiming to be from Google to prevent account compromise.