Google has published a series of articles aimed at protecting consumers from all forms of cybercrime. We list them below:
You don't have to be a tech expert to keep your information safe. Learn about steps you can take to protect yourself online, like choosing strong passwords and installing antivirus software, and the efforts we make to secure your information and devices.
Avoiding fraud
No, you probably didn't win the lottery. You can't make that much money working from home. And this deal is probably too good to be true.
The web can be an amazing place, but not everyone online has good intentions. Here are three simple ways to avoid scams and stay safe online.
Be wary of strangers offering gifts
A message is probably suspicious if it congratulates you for being the millionth visitor to a website, offers a tablet or other prize in exchange for completing a survey, or promotes quick and easy ways to make money or find employment (“become rich working from home in just two hours a day!”). If someone tells you that you’ve won and asks you to fill out a form with your personal information, don’t be tempted to start filling it out. If you start filling out forms, you could be sending your information to the attackers, even if you don’t click the “submit” button.
If you see a message from someone you know that doesn’t look like they’re from them, their account may have been hacked by a cybercriminal who may be trying to extort money or information from you – so be careful with your response. One common tactic is to urgently ask for money, claiming they’re blocked in another country or that their phone has been stolen and can’t receive calls. The message may also ask you to click on a link to view an image, article or video, which will take you to a website that could steal your details – so think before you click!
Investigate
When shopping online, research the seller’s profile and be wary of suspiciously low prices, just as you would if you were buying something from a local store. Check carefully for online offers that seem too good to be true. No one wants to be fooled into buying counterfeit products. Those who offer expensive products or services for free that would normally not be discounted or at a discount of 90% are likely to have malicious intent. If you use Gmail, you may see a warning at the top of your screen if you view an email that the system believes may be a scam – if you see this warning, think again before responding to that email.
Beware of scams using the Google brand. Google does not run sweepstakes. We do not charge for training new employees – if you receive an email claiming to be hired by Google but you need to pay for your training before you can start, it’s a scam. Be wary of those claiming to sell cars using Google Wallet. Learn more about the different scams using the Google brand.
When in doubt, it's better not to take any risks
Do you just have a bad feeling about an ad or an offer? Trust your instincts! Click on ads or buy products only from websites that are safe, verified and trustworthy.
Many online shopping platforms have trusted merchant/seller programs. These sellers usually have a visible seal of approval on their profiles. Make sure the seal or certificate is legitimate by reading the shopping platform’s guidelines. If the platform doesn’t offer such a program, take a look at the number and quality of the seller’s reviews.
And in case you clicked on or saw a suspicious ad on Google, inform the company and they will take action.
