Google warns billions of Gmail users to look out for ‘six-word alert’ which means you should email to avoid danger

WHAT IS MALWARE?

Malware is a malicious file or code that can infect your phone or computer.

These dangerous files can attack your device using different methods and usually hope to steal confidential information.

They can also monitor and record your device activity without your knowledge.

Malware detection is enabled by default in Google Chrome, and because of this, users may receive messages alerting them to dangerous emails.

WHAT KIND OF MESSAGE?

Typically, you’ll see this warning above any email that looks like a scam but comes from an address in your Gmail contact list.

There are two steps to take if you see this warning: Investigate and determine if it is safe.

IF YOU THINK THE EMAIL IS A SCAM

“If the email contains suspicious links or asks you to do unusual things, like sending money or personal information, the message could be a scam sent without permission from your contact’s email account,” notes Google in its web page.

In this case, do not respond to the email or click on any of the attached links.

You can also report the email to Google by clicking “Report this suspicious message”.

The message will be marked as “sent from a compromised account” and will notify the Gmail team.

“This helps protect the sender’s account from abuse. You will still receive messages from them in the future,” Google added.

Lastly, if the suspicious email came from a trusted person, inform them of the message (but not via email).

Phone scam statistics

Americans are bombarded with three billion spam calls per month. What are the numbers regarding the number of victims and the amount of money lost to fraudsters

• In 2022, Americans lost an estimated $39.5 billion to phone fraud, with 68.4 million US citizens affected, according to TechReport.
• The average phone scam victim lost $567.41 each in 2021, a huge increase from the figure of $182 per victim in 2021, according to Hiya.
• Most scams happen over the phone, with fraudsters twice as likely to call compared to text in 2021, as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports.
• In 2021, the US saw a 56% increase in spam phone calls, with 60% of those robocalls.
• US residents receive an average of 18 spam phone calls per month, although some experts believe the real number could be as high as 31 per month.
• Many phone calls from reputable companies can be mistakenly marked as spam, but 38% of companies have no idea whether they are being marked as “potential fraud” or not, according to Hiya.
• Never provide personal or financial information if you suspect a phone call is a scam. For example, your bank will never ask for these full details over the phone.
• To reduce spam calls and scams, sign up for the Do Not Call Registry. Telemarketers, by law, will need to check this list before calling you.
• Downloading third-party apps like Hiya, Nomorobo or Truecaller can help filter annoying spam calls.
• Try not to share your phone number unless necessary, especially online or with sketchy sources.

IF YOU THINK THE EMAIL IS NOT A SCAM

If you’re sure the message isn’t a scam, click Looks safe or Dismiss, I trust this message.

You can judge whether an email is a scam by its content, including spelling and grammar, message tone, and attachments.

Below, we’ve shared some warning signs to look out for that indicate an email is a scam, regardless of whether it’s from a contact.

RED FLAGS

There are a few phrases in emails that could indicate it is a scam, according to cybersecurity company McAfee:

• “You won our cash draw! Send us your banking information so we can deposit your winnings!”
• “You owe back taxes. Send payment immediately using this link or we will forward your case to the authorities.”
• “We have identified what may be unusual activity on your credit card. Follow this link to confirm your account information.”
• “There was an unauthorized attempt to access your streaming account. Click here to verify your identity.”
• “Your package could not be delivered. Please click on the attached document to provide delivery instructions.”

Most scammers will employ a sense of urgency to get you to send money or information.

Bad actors know that victims who feel pressured tend to act less rationally when making decisions.

Additionally, legitimate entities will never ask you to send money or banking information on the spot.

Instead, they will provide information and a specific time frame to take action