Google Lotto scam

 

GOLDEN RULES:

  1. Slow it down - Scams are often designed to create a sense of urgency. Take time to ask questions and think it through.
  2. Spot check - Do your research to double check the details you are getting. Does what they’re telling you make sense?
  3. Stop! Don’t send - No reputable person or agency will ever demand payment or your personal information on the spot.

 

You receive an email claiming that you've won a Google Lottery and are asked for personal details.  In some cases the scammers also impersonate customs or tax officials and will ask you to provide additional information or pay a fee to release the funds (such as a money release fee, currency exchange, courier or shipping fees, tax fees, etc.).

Google does not run lotteries, and your email address has not been selected to win a prize. Do not reply back with your personal details.

Lotto Scam Notification Example:

Resources:

  • Report the email as spam or phishing to your email provider. If you have Gmail, learn how to report spam and report phishing.
  • If the email was sent from a Gmail address, you can report abuse to help Google take appropriate action on accounts involved in this scam.
  • Spam: The abuse of electronic messaging systems to indiscriminately send unsolicited bulk messages.
  • Phishing: Phishing is a type of online fraud where someone tries to trick the victim into revealing sensitive details such as a username, password or credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.

 

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