If you recently received an email claiming to be related to a Gmail account recovery process that you did not initiate, BEWARE. According to Microsoft solutions consultant Sam Mitrovic, who recently received these prompts, this scam attempt could also be followed up with a phone call. Fortunately, thanks to his professional skills and knowledge, he did not fall for what he stated was a “super realistic AI scam call.” Sadly, these actions are notorious scams that are phishing for credentials via a fake login portal the victims are directed to use for the recovery process.
AI Calls Appear to Be Human
Most people have conversed with an AI system that sounds a bit odd and does not have the typical flow of a legitimate conversation. The latest hack has come a long way from those choppy and false feeling chats. The American voice claims to be from Google and states they are calling about suspicious activity on a Gmail account. In this example, they asked if Mitrovic had been traveling, and when the response was no, they asked if he had logged in from Germany. The questions were very conversational and created to build a level of trust and comfort. Next, they inform the call recipient that there has been a breach of their account that involved a download of account data.
The simple fact is that Mitrovic was able to rely on his technical skills to ensure that this was not a legitimate call from Google. However, not all Gmail users have that luxury. However, if you have not reported an issue or requested account recovery, there is a good chance you are at risk of a scam when someone claims to be calling from Google. You can always gather as much information as possible regarding the issue and then end the call. Next, reach out to Google support online, not from any links or phone numbers provided via the fake call.
How to Discern AI Calls
When asked after the fact, Mitrovic shared a few details that tipped him off to the AI caller. At the beginning of the call, the caller said hello, but when Mitrovic failed to respond, the caller repeated the word hello. The repeated word and cadence were too perfect and identical for a human. Many other reports of AI scam calls also state that the word choice could be better or appear stilted or very formal for a real person. Trust your instinct, and if you feel a call is a scam, hang up and contact Google via a trusted and recognized resource to ensure the safety and integrity of your account.
What Google Is Doing to Stop Scammers
Recently, Google announced it is partnering with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance and the DNS Research Federation to form the Global Signal Exchange to share intelligence related to scams and fraud. This real-time platform will provide insight into current scams and how they can be identified, as well as a collaborative location to resolve these hacks.
If you have additional questions or concerns about Gmail hacks or scams, please contact the experts at Digital 1 Group today. Our exceptional team is here to provide the guidance and information you need to maximize your technological resources and digital presence.