Beware: New Google email scam promises ‘prizes’ – Protect yourself and your inbox now!
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Attention members, especially those who use Gmail! Listen up because there's an urgent warning that you need to know about.
Scammers are lurking out there, and they're targeting Gmail users with a devious scheme that could put your personal and financial information at risk.
Here's how it works: The scammers will try to trick you into thinking that you've made the '18.25 billionth search' (or something similar) through Google's search engine and that you've won a prize. Sounds exciting, right?
But hold your horses because there's a catch. To claim your ‘prize’, you'll have to complete a dodgy survey that requests personal and financial information.

Now, this is not the first time this 'billionth search' scam has appeared. In the past, it used to pop up as annoying banner ads or pop-ups. But now, it's made its way into your Gmail inbox. That's why it's crucial to keep your wits about you and not fall for these types of scams.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed that a shocking 65% of Aussies received a scam offer or request during the 2021-22 financial year. Don't let yourself become another statistic.
Stay alert, and keep your personal and financial information safe from harm.
Heads up, fellow Gmail users! To spot this sneaky scam, be on the lookout for an email that claims you're a lucky Google user and congratulates you on winning a prize. If you receive an email like this, take a moment to pause and think before proceeding any further.
Remember that legitimate emails from Google will never offer you prizes or gifts out of the blue, so it's a red flag if you receive one. Scammers are trying to trick you into giving them your personal and financial information by pretending to be a trusted source, so stay on your guard.
If you do happen to receive an email like this, don't panic.
Instead, report it to Google immediately and delete it from your inbox to prevent further harm. By taking these simple steps, you can help keep yourself and other Gmail users safe from scammers who are trying to take advantage of unsuspecting victims.
The latest report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is alarming, to say the least. In 2022, Australians reported losses of more than A$3 billion to various types of scams, which is a staggering increase of around A$1 billion from the previous year.
These numbers are not just statistics - they represent real people who have suffered from the consequences of these scams. It's not just about the financial loss, either. Victims of scams can experience significant emotional distress, damage to their reputations, and other non-financial harm.
It's disheartening to see that despite increased awareness of scams and efforts to prevent them, the number of victims and monetary losses continues to rise. We need to remain vigilant and proactive in educating ourselves and our loved ones about the different types of scams and how to avoid them.
Remember that scammers are constantly coming up with new tactics and evolving their methods, so it's important to stay informed and take appropriate precautions. Let's work together to protect ourselves and our communities from falling victim to these harmful scams.
Read this article to know which are the most common types of scams to watch out for.
It's essential to maintain our vigilance and to report any suspicious activity. Stay safe online, and remember to protect yourself and your inbox from potential scams. Together, we can help each other remain vigilant in the digital age.
Want to stay in the loop on the latest scams? Head over to the Scam Watch forum on the SDC website. You'll find all the juicy details on recent scams that scammers are pulling off.
Knowledge is power, so make sure you're armed with the latest information to protect yourself from falling into their traps. Stay one step ahead of those sneaky scammers by staying informed and sharing what you learn with others.
Members, how do you determine if an email or message you receive is legitimate or a scam? And have you ever had a close call with a scam, where you almost fell for it? What did you learn from that experience? Share your stories with us in the comments!
Scammers are lurking out there, and they're targeting Gmail users with a devious scheme that could put your personal and financial information at risk.
Here's how it works: The scammers will try to trick you into thinking that you've made the '18.25 billionth search' (or something similar) through Google's search engine and that you've won a prize. Sounds exciting, right?
But hold your horses because there's a catch. To claim your ‘prize’, you'll have to complete a dodgy survey that requests personal and financial information.

An urgent warning has been issued by Google to ignore scammers promising a prize for Gmail users. Credit: Unsplash/Stephen Phillips.
Now, this is not the first time this 'billionth search' scam has appeared. In the past, it used to pop up as annoying banner ads or pop-ups. But now, it's made its way into your Gmail inbox. That's why it's crucial to keep your wits about you and not fall for these types of scams.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed that a shocking 65% of Aussies received a scam offer or request during the 2021-22 financial year. Don't let yourself become another statistic.
Stay alert, and keep your personal and financial information safe from harm.
Heads up, fellow Gmail users! To spot this sneaky scam, be on the lookout for an email that claims you're a lucky Google user and congratulates you on winning a prize. If you receive an email like this, take a moment to pause and think before proceeding any further.
Remember that legitimate emails from Google will never offer you prizes or gifts out of the blue, so it's a red flag if you receive one. Scammers are trying to trick you into giving them your personal and financial information by pretending to be a trusted source, so stay on your guard.
If you do happen to receive an email like this, don't panic.
Instead, report it to Google immediately and delete it from your inbox to prevent further harm. By taking these simple steps, you can help keep yourself and other Gmail users safe from scammers who are trying to take advantage of unsuspecting victims.
Key Takeaways
- Online scammers are targeting Gmail users with a new scheme that claims they have won a prize for making the '18.25 billionth search' through Google's search engine.
- To claim their reward, users are asked to complete a suspicious survey that requests personal and financial information.
- Genuine communications from Google never offer prizes or gifts, so users should be vigilant and report any suspicious emails immediately.
The latest report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is alarming, to say the least. In 2022, Australians reported losses of more than A$3 billion to various types of scams, which is a staggering increase of around A$1 billion from the previous year.
These numbers are not just statistics - they represent real people who have suffered from the consequences of these scams. It's not just about the financial loss, either. Victims of scams can experience significant emotional distress, damage to their reputations, and other non-financial harm.
It's disheartening to see that despite increased awareness of scams and efforts to prevent them, the number of victims and monetary losses continues to rise. We need to remain vigilant and proactive in educating ourselves and our loved ones about the different types of scams and how to avoid them.
Remember that scammers are constantly coming up with new tactics and evolving their methods, so it's important to stay informed and take appropriate precautions. Let's work together to protect ourselves and our communities from falling victim to these harmful scams.
Read this article to know which are the most common types of scams to watch out for.
It's essential to maintain our vigilance and to report any suspicious activity. Stay safe online, and remember to protect yourself and your inbox from potential scams. Together, we can help each other remain vigilant in the digital age.
Want to stay in the loop on the latest scams? Head over to the Scam Watch forum on the SDC website. You'll find all the juicy details on recent scams that scammers are pulling off.
Knowledge is power, so make sure you're armed with the latest information to protect yourself from falling into their traps. Stay one step ahead of those sneaky scammers by staying informed and sharing what you learn with others.
Members, how do you determine if an email or message you receive is legitimate or a scam? And have you ever had a close call with a scam, where you almost fell for it? What did you learn from that experience? Share your stories with us in the comments!