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Google ‘password reset’ scam targeting Gmail users. What to know, how to stay safe in Ohio

  • August 27, 2025

A new Gmail security scam is on the rise, where bad actors impersonate Google’s IT support to hack into your account and access personal or financial information.

The latest scam comes weeks after the tech giant confirmed a massive data breach affecting than two billion users. Reports of the phishing attempt went viral on social media as more users reported experiencing a similar issue, where victims receive an email or phone call from someone pretending to be support staff, saying that their Gmail account is compromised. The fake emails bypass Google’s security checks and can fool victims into believing it’s legitimate.

Here’s how to protect yourself.

Gmail scam uses fake ‘password recovery’ emails to hack users’ accounts

Scammers will notify you that your account is not secure and will attempt to get you to act on it by sending an email to reset your password, according to the cybersecurity blog Malwarebytes Labs.

Victims will then enter their login credentials using the fraudulent link, which even includes a “security” code that must be shared. “The support staff say they’ll enter this code to reset the system, but they’re using those precious extra few seconds to hijack the victim’s account,” the publication adds.

Crypto and tech influencer Nick Johnson shared on X in April how this is a growing trend among hackers. The email, titled “Security alert,” appears to come from a legitimate email address from Google’s support system, but instead targets online victims. The senders can come off as very convincing and won’t automatically filter to your spam folder.

How to protect your Gmail account from fake ‘security’ phishing scam

Google says that Gmail will never send unsolicited messages asking for your password or other personal information. Google recommends the following steps to avoid falling victim to fake email scams.

  • While Google will issue phishing warnings if it detects suspicious emails, it emphasizes that it won’t send unsolicited requests for personal information.

  • Don’t respond to requests for your private information over email, text message, or phone call.

  • Don’t enter your password after clicking a link in a message; if you’re signed in to an account, emails from Google won’t ask you to enter the password for that account.

  • Beware of urgent-sounding messages.

  • Never click links from strangers or untrustworthy sources.

If you think a security email that looks like it’s from Google might be fake, Google suggests going directly to myaccount.google.com/notifications. On that page, you can check your Google Account’s recent security activity.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Gmail ‘security’ scam hacks account. How to stay safe in Ohio

  • Tags:
  • Éire
  • fake emails
  • Financial Information
  • Gmail
  • Gmail account
  • Google
  • IE
  • Ireland
  • phishing scam
  • security checks
  • Technology
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