These 2 new Google scams are easy to fall for - Don't become a victim
The internet has been a hotbed for scams since it gained widespread use. Some of the earliest tricks involved phishing, in which scammers imitate a known company or service in an attempt to access victims’ credentials or financial information. They also send malicious links containing malware.
Threat actors are still employing scams such as this and getting away with it. A recent one involves emails sent to Office 365 users with a link to a fake website and instructions to log in. Once the victim does this, their accounts are taken over. Tap or click here for more details and Microsoft’s response.
With so much of our lives connected to the internet, scammers don’t even need computers to target victims. They can get in through smart devices, apps and anything else connected to a network. We’ve highlighted two scams that target popular Google services and will also let you know what to look out for.
Fake YouTube activation link
Smart televisions are great for accessing content from numerous sources without the need for a streaming device. The TV itself can stream content from Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, live events, and other services while also accessing your social media, web browser and smart home services.
When you install an app on your smart TV, you are sometimes required to visit an activation page online to get it running. This usually syncs up your account with your television so you can bring over your settings, subscriptions and history.
YouTube has such an activation process. Download the app to your TV, and you’ll see a popup with an activation code to insert in the following URL: youtube.com/activate.
Some of the more suspicious among you may Google links such as this to see if they’re legit. While it’s important to take precautions, sometimes this can work against you.
Mashable recently uncovered a scam in which a Google search of the YouTube activation link leads to a fake page. Inputting the code from the TV leads to an error page with instructions and a phone number to contact YouTube support.
The call is answered by a swindler who tells the user they need to cough up a refundable fee to activate their service. The money is requested via PayPal, Zelle, Venmo or even gift cards. Of course, none of the money is refunded.
A similar scam involving Roku users and fake customer service was recently uncovered. Tap or click here for the story.
“Troubleshooting” involves convincing users that YouTube needs to charge a refundable fee to their credit card or bank account to “activate” the service. This type of fee, usually around $1 or less, is sometimes initiated through services such as PayPal or Venmo when a new user links their new account to an outside service, like a checking account with a bank.
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Video and music streaming services have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years. The onset of the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns further increased the user bases of many platforms.
Netflix, the most popular paid-for streaming service by a long shot, added 4 million new subscribers so far in 2021, bringing its total viewers to 208 million. For the same period last year, the platform added 16 million new subscribers. Tap or click here for YouTube tricks and tips you’ll wish you knew sooner.
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The biggest annual technology convention is just around the corner. But since the pandemic has brought in-person events to an abrupt halt, this year’s CES will be an all-digital affair.
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