Google has announced the launch of a special form for businesses listed on Google Mapsto report blackmail attempts by people who post false negative reviews and demand a ransom to have them removed. The initiative aims to combat the phenomenon known as “review bombing.” This is a tactic where users intentionally post bad reviews to damage a business’s reputation.
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Laurie Richardson, vice president of Trust and Safety at Google, said: “Malicious users attempt to bypass our review systems and flood a business’s profile with fake one-star reviews. Following these attacks, scammers often contact business owners via third-party messaging apps to demand payment, threatening further escalation if the amount is not paid.”
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Google warns about scams
Google has also informed users about various widespread scams, including:
– Online job scams: Scammers pretend to be legitimate job search platforms, using fake job listings and profiles, and trick job seekers, usually by convincing them to provide sensitive information or download malicious software.
– AI product impersonation scams: Fraudsters are exploiting the popularity of AI tools to promote fake services through malicious ads and compromised social media accounts, leading victims to download malicious apps.
– Malicious VPN apps and extensions: Malicious users distribute harmful apps disguised as legitimate VPN services, using social engineering techniques to lure victims seeking secure internet access. These apps can facilitate further attacks, including data theft and financial fraud.
– scamsFraud recovery: People who have already been victims of fraud are targeted again by scammers pretending to be asset recovery agents, often affiliated with reputable entities.
– Seasonal holiday scams: Fraudsters take advantage of major holidays to trick shoppers with fake offers on social media, resulting in financial fraud and data theft.
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To protect themselves, users are urged to be wary of unexpected messages and emails, to only download applications from trusted sources , and to remain vigilant when asked for personal information.
