AI-Powered Gmail Scam: How Fake Recovery Requests are Stealing Personal Data and How to Protect Yourself
"Scammers are using AI tools and fake Google recovery requests to trick Gmail users into compromising their accounts—here’s how to stay safe."
A new targeted attack on Gmail users is stealing personal data through fake recovery requests. The alarming part is that this attack is being carried out with the help of AI tools. According to IT consultant and tech blogger Sam, AI is being used cleverly to execute these attacks.
The scam starts with a notification on your phone or email, showing a Gmail recovery request that you never initiated. These requests usually come from foreign countries. If you ignore the request, a phone call follows about 40 minutes later. The call appears to come from an official Google number, and the conversation is conducted in a professional manner, often in an American accent, making it highly convincing. This is the key moment when attackers begin compromising Gmail accounts.
During the call, you’re asked whether your account has been accessed from a foreign location, which increases trust. They use a number resembling Google Caller ID, further building your confidence. The scammer claims that someone has gained access to your Gmail account and could download sensitive information. At this point, many Gmail users unknowingly approve the fake recovery request.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Do not approve recovery requests you didn’t initiate. This is the first sign of an attack.
- Verify Google phone calls. If the call seems suspicious, ignore it.
- Check the email address carefully.
- Review your Gmail security activity regularly.
- Inspect the email header to ensure the legitimacy of the communication.
