“Help, my friend is asking for money on Google Chat!” (and other scams to avoid)

Google Chat is a great tool for communication and collaboration, but it also attracts scammers who want to exploit its popularity and convenience. In this blog post, I will share with you 7 common Google Chat scams and how to avoid them. These scams include phishing, fake offers, romance scams, malware distribution, business email compromise, technical support scams, crypto and investment scams, social engineering, sextortion, blackmail, and impersonation.

By being aware of these scams and following some simple tips, you can protect yourself and your data from cybercriminals.

1. Phishing Scams

Phishing scams are when scammers pretend to be someone or something you trust, such as a friend, a colleague, or a reputable company, and try to trick you into giving them your personal or financial information. They may send you messages with fake links or attachments that lead to phishing websites or malware downloads. They may also ask you to verify your account, update your payment details, or confirm a transaction.

How to avoid phishing scams

• Never click on links or open attachments from unknown or suspicious sources.
• Always check the sender’s email address and the URL of the website before entering any information.
• Look for spelling or grammar mistakes, or inconsistencies in the tone or style of the message.
• If you are not sure about the legitimacy of a message, contact the sender through another channel, such as a phone call or a different email address.

Statistics and references:

• According to the FBI, phishing was the most common type of cybercrime in 2022, with 241,342 victims and losses of over $54 million.
• According to Google, its Safe Browsing technology protects over 4 billion devices every day from phishing and other malicious websites.

2. Fake Offers and Promotions

Fake offers and promotions are when scammers lure you with promises of prizes, discounts, or exclusive deals. They may send you messages with links that redirect you to malicious websites where they ask you to fill out a survey, enter a code, or provide your personal or financial information. They may also create a sense of urgency or scarcity to pressure you into taking action.

How to avoid fake offers and promotions

• Be wary of unsolicited or too-good-to-be-true offers or promotions.
• Do not trust messages that ask you to act quickly or miss out on a limited opportunity.
• Do not provide any information or payment without verifying the authenticity of the offer or promotion.
• Research the source of the offer or promotion and look for reviews or feedback from other users.

Statistics and references:

• According to the FTC, consumers reported losing more than $3.8 billion to fraud in 2022, with online shopping being the top category.
• According to a survey by McAfee, 36% of Americans have fallen victim to an online scam or know someone who has.

3. Romance Scams

Romance scams are when scammers use Google Chat to establish a romantic relationship with you and then ask you for money, gifts, or favors. They may create fake profiles on dating sites or social media and then move the conversation to Google Chat. They may claim to be in love with you, to be in a difficult situation, or to need your help for an emergency.

How to avoid romance scams

• Be careful of online strangers who express strong feelings for you or ask you for money or personal information.
• Do not send money or gifts to someone you have not met in person or verified their identity.
• Do not share intimate photos or videos with someone you do not trust, as they may use them to blackmail you later.
• If you suspect a romance scam, report it to the dating site, social media platform, or Google Chat.

Statistics and references:

• According to the FTC, romance scams were the most costly form of fraud in 2022, with losses of over $304 million, up 50% from 2021.
• According to the FBI, the average loss per victim of romance scams was $11,000 in 2022.
• According to a study by the University of Warwick, romance scammers use language patterns that appeal to the victim’s emotions and values.

4. Malware Distribution

Malware distribution is when scammers use Google Chat to send you malicious files or links that can infect your device with viruses, spyware, ransomware, or other harmful software. They may disguise these files or links as documents, images, videos, or other types of files that you may be interested in or expect to receive. They may also use social engineering techniques to persuade you to open or download them.

How to avoid malware distribution

• Do not download or open any files or links from unknown or suspicious sources.
• Use a reliable antivirus software and keep it updated.
• Scan any files or links before opening or downloading them.
• Backup your data regularly and use a strong password for your device and accounts.

Statistics and references:

• According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, malware was involved in 17% of data breaches in 2022.
• According to the SonicWall Cyber Threat Report, ransomware attacks increased by 62% in 2022, reaching a record high of 304.6 million.
• According to the Symantec Internet Security Threat Report, one in 10 URLs was malicious in 2019, and one in 412 emails contained malware.

5. Business Email Compromise (BEC)

Business email compromise (BEC) is when scammers impersonate a senior executive, a client, or a vendor and use Google Chat to request a payment, a wire transfer, or a change in account details. They may hack into or spoof the email account of the person they are impersonating and then send you a message on Google Chat. They may also create a sense of urgency or importance to make you comply with their request.

How to avoid business email compromise

• Verify the identity and authority of the person who is requesting a payment, a wire transfer, or a change in account details.
• Do not rely on Google Chat alone to confirm a request. Use another channel, such as a phone call or a face-to-face meeting, to verify the request.
• Follow the policies and procedures of your organization for handling financial transactions and sensitive information.
• Report any suspicious or unusual requests to your manager or IT department.

Statistics and references:

• According to the FBI, BEC scams accounted for the highest losses of any cybercrime in 2022, with over $2.7 billion.
• According to the Proofpoint State of the Phish Report, 83% of surveyed organizations fell victim to at least one phishing attack in 2021, marking a 46% rise from 2020. Additionally, 78% encountered an email-based ransomware attack.

6. Technical Support Scam

Technical support scam is when scammers pose as a technical support agent from Google or another reputable company and use Google Chat to offer you help with a problem or issue with your device or account. They may claim that your device or account has been compromised, infected, or locked, and that you need to pay a fee, provide your personal or financial information, or grant them remote access to your device to fix it.

How to avoid technical support scam

• Do not trust unsolicited or unexpected messages from technical support agents.
• Do not pay any fees, provide any information, or grant any access to someone who contacts you on Google Chat.
• Do not call any phone numbers or visit any websites that are provided by the technical support agent.
• Contact the official technical support of Google or the company that the agent claims to represent through their official website or phone number.

Statistics and references:

• According to the Microsoft Digital Defense Report, technical support scams affected 71% of consumers in 2022.
• The 2022 FTC report reveals that consumers reported losing nearly $8.8 billion to scams, a 30% increase from the previous year, with the most money lost to investment scams.
• The Malwarebytes report on tech support scams reveals that scammers often use tactics like fake browser alerts and cold calls, tricking victims into granting access to their computers under the guise of virus infections.

7. Crypto and Investment Scams

Crypto and investment scams are when scammers use Google Chat to offer you opportunities to invest in cryptocurrencies, stocks, forex, or other financial products. They may promise you high returns, low risks, or insider information. They may also ask you to join a group, a platform, or a program where they claim to provide you with guidance, signals, or tips.

How to avoid crypto and investment scams

• Be skeptical of unsolicited or unrealistic offers or promotions for investing in cryptocurrencies or other financial products.
• Do not invest any money or provide any information without doing your own research and due diligence.
• Do not trust messages that pressure you to act quickly or miss out on a limited opportunity.
• Do not join any groups, platforms, or programs that require you to pay a fee, share your credentials, or download any software.

Statistics and references:

• The FTC report reveals that consumers reported losing over $1 billion to cryptocurrency scams from January 2021 through March 2022.
• Investor alert issued by the SEC and CFTC, warning about fraudulent schemes involving binary options and binary options trading platforms.
• The 2022 Crypto Crime Report reveals that cryptocurrency-based crime reached a new all-time high in 2021, with illicit addresses receiving $14 billion, despite the fact that illicit activity represented just 0.15% of total cryptocurrency transaction volume.