Beware: New Google email scam promises ‘prizes’ – Protect yourself and your inbox now!

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.


Screen Shot 2023-04-24 at 3.05.02 PM.png
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.


Screen Shot 2023-04-24 at 3.04.54 PM.png
Australians lost a record $3.1 billion to scams in 2022. Credit: Unsplash/Brett Jordan.



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!
 
Sponsored
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.


View attachment 18171
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.


View attachment 18172
Australians lost a record $3.1 billion to scams in 2022. Credit: Unsplash/Brett Jordan.



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!
Just treat every unsolicited email with suspicion; especially if there is money involved, or a gift or you have won something. Dont click on any links or ring any phone number and do your own research. Plenty of info out there re scams. For instance www.scamwatch.com.au run by the Government
 
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.


View attachment 18171
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.


View attachment 18172
Australians lost a record $3.1 billion to scams in 2022. Credit: Unsplash/Brett Jordan.



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!
 
Just lately I have been receiving between 20 and 30 a day on my Hotmail inbox, from Delta and United airways, free Covid shots, Walmart, Hardware stores, Pay Pal etc. Even from Ukrainian hook up sites.
THey are all from American companies but sent mostly from India/Pakistan. Even blocking the senders does not help as they keep resending them.
Most now come with 'Noreply sendees but want you to click the link.
Have notices a lot of the emails are linked to the "Linkedin" website. I deleted my account 2 years ago but that did not stop the emails.
I have been lucky with G-mail as I only get 1 suspicious email once every Blue Moon.
 
Last edited:
Just lately I have been receiving between 20 and 30 a day on my Hotmail inbox, from Delta and United airways, free Covid shots, Walmart, Hardware stores, Pay Pal etc. Even from Ukrainian hook up sites.
THey are all from American companies but sent mostly from India/Pakistan. Even blocking the senders does not help as they keep resending them.
Most now come with 'Noreply sendees but want you to click the link.
Have notices a lot of the emails are linked to the "Linkedin" website. I deleted my account 2 years ago but that did not stop the emails.
I have been lucky with G-mail as I only get 1 suspicious email once every Blue Moon.
Lucky you so many 'thinking of you'..and to delete the lot and block so many online 'admirers' Cool bat.. ( cool name too:+} ) I Must admit I get only a few too now. The delete key is an excellent tool.
I have a secondary HotMail account I have not even looked at for years I am sure that just be chockers.
 
Firstly thank you so much for the heads up on this. I have not seen one of these emails yet but I am sure I will get one. Oooh goody, can send them a present back in the form of a delicious virus which I hope will give them a more than fearsome headache.
 
Would never click in a scam that says things like that!!!!! So obviously a scam!
Beware signing up for professional conferences via the internet. A recent scam concerned an Oncology (cancer specialists') Conference in Singapore, allegedly being held this week.

Required; conference fee paid via internet ID including passport photo and driving licence details. Money (conference registration fee) gone; your details floating around the 'dark' web'. Beware. Trust no-one. The internet is a scammer's paradise

At least with cheque books you have a week to stop the cheque. Until the damn banks stop issuing cheque books.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tervueren
Beware signing up for professional conferences via the internet. A recent scam concerned an Oncology (cancer specialists') Conference in Singapore, allegedly being held this week.

Required; conference fee paid via internet ID including passport photo and driving licence details. Money (conference registration fee) gone; your details floating around the 'dark' web'. Beware. Trust no-one. The internet is a scammer's paradise

At least with cheque books you have a week to stop the cheque. Until the damn banks stop issuing cheque books.
Very wise words Rob44..!
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else

Latest Articles

  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×