Fake Google warning on mobile: scam targets phone numbers
Fraudsters deceive users with a false Google security warning about alleged spam SMS messages. Mimikama advises closing the page immediately.
Fake Google warning as a trap: how the new scam works
A purported Google security warning appears on the mobile phone – complete with the familiar Google logo. It claims that numerous spam SMS messages have been sent using the user's own telephone number. According to BILD, this is a targeted scam.
The fact-checking portal Mimikama warns against the fake page. According to the report, there are mentions of 42 complaints about spam messages. Alleged examples include a supposed TikTok job offer and a sexually explicit spam message. Users are then asked to indicate whether they sent these messages themselves.
A look at the internet address exposes the fraud: according to Mimikama, the page runs under "pro.quicksala.com" – and therefore not under an official Google domain. The embedded Google logo is merely intended to give the page a veneer of legitimacy.
Other features of genuine security notifications are also missing. There are no verifiable details about which Google account is affected. There is no imprint, privacy information, or support information. Instead, the page pressures users to tap "Yes" or "No" as quickly as possible.
Mimikama advises doing exactly that – avoiding it: the page should be closed immediately and the link should not be forwarded. Anyone wishing to check whether there is actually a problem with their own Google account should only access the official Google website or the Google app.
Anyone who has already entered personal data on the fake page should change their Google password immediately. In addition, Mimikama recommends activating two-factor authentication to better secure the account in future.
Source: BILD