Social Security Administration Warns 72 Million Beneficiaries of New Email Scam

Numerous warnings have been issued regarding a surge in phishing scams targeting Social Security and Gmail users. The Social Security Administration and the Office of the Inspector General cautioned beneficiaries about fraudulent emails claiming to provide downloadable statements, which instead lead to hackers stealing personal and banking information. Concurrently, Gmail users face a sophisticated scam involving fake Google Support messages and follow-up phone calls designed to trick victims into revealing security codes, enabling hackers to hijack accounts. Moroccan authorities and Google's Center for Monitoring, Detection, and Response to Computer Attacks highlighted a recent Salesforce data breach by the hacker group ShinyHunters, exposing millions of Google account details and prompting phishing attempts worldwide. Despite viral misinformation about a widespread Gmail security alert, Google clarified that no mass warning was issued, although they emphasized the importance of strong security measures such as passkeys and two-step verification. Users are urged to remain vigilant, verify email sources carefully, avoid sharing sensitive information, and be cautious of unsolicited communications claiming to be from official entities.