What you need to know
- Google has released an updated fraud and scam advisory in anticipation of its inaugural Scams Summit.
- The advisory highlights prevalent scam tactics, including those related to customer support, package tracking, and toll roads.
- In recent months, Google has enhanced its Phone and Messages app with advanced scam protection features for Android users.
In a proactive move to bolster online safety, Google has refreshed its advisories regarding digital threats, aiming to equip users with essential knowledge about potential scams. As the company gears up for its first-ever Scams Summit, it has shared insights into the most common online scams currently in circulation. Among the highlighted threats are customer support scams, where malicious actors masquerade as legitimate representatives to extract sensitive personal information from unsuspecting users.
To combat these threats, Google has integrated Gemini technology, particularly Gemini Nano, which enhances its ability to detect and block potential scam attempts effectively. Text messaging remains a significant avenue for scams, with package tracking scams being particularly prevalent. These scams often mislead users into believing they owe additional fees for deliveries. Similarly, toll road scams exhibit characteristics akin to package tracking scams, suggesting a coordinated effort by the same groups of cybercriminals. To address these issues, Google’s Messages app has recently been upgraded to include real-time detection capabilities, providing alerts to users before they fall victim to such schemes.
Google Advances its Protections
Furthermore, Google’s updated advisory report sheds light on the dangers of malvertising and counterfeit travel websites, both of which pose risks while users navigate the internet, including ads displayed through Google Search. The company has committed to intensifying its efforts to eliminate these threats, taking decisive action against those who violate its online policies.
May has proven to be a pivotal month for Google as it seeks to enhance its security measures against malicious online activities. Recently, Google Chrome received an update featuring AI-driven warnings designed to alert users to potential scams while browsing on Android devices. Thanks to the integration of Gemini technology, Chrome can now evaluate notifications for malicious intent as well.
As the company prepares for I/O 2025, Google’s Android Show has unveiled new scam protection features for calls and texts. A significant focus has been placed on advancing Android’s software capabilities to enable it to “block certain actions” when it detects potential call scams. The Messages app has been further refined to identify a range of new scams, including those related to toll roads, billing, cryptocurrency, and financial impersonation. These enhancements build upon the critical security updates introduced in Google’s March feature drop.
