Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams

Google and other online email account users should beware of the phishing email messages or posts like the ones below that were created by cyber criminals to steal their accounts' usernames, passwords, infect their computers with a virus, ransomware or other malware. Recipients of unexpected email messages or posts appearing as if they came from a legitimate organization, friend or family member asking them to view a document that was uploaded to Google Docs or Google Drive, are asked to delete the messages or posts. And, should not follow the instructions in them.

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Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams

This is simply because this is another malicious attempt by cybercriminals and scammers to steal the recipients' Google, Hotmail, Outlook, MSN, Yahoo and AOL account information, so that they can gain access to them. With access to their victims' accounts, cyber criminals will hijack and use them fraudulently.

Google users who have already been tricked by the phishing scam are asked to change their password immediately before their accounts are hijacked and used fraudulently or maliciously.

A List of Google Docs or Google Drive Phishing Email Scams

Subject: Important meeting tomorrow
From: ramya ramya (ramyaarose90@gmail.com)
Sent: Mon 7/25/16 4:17 PM

Attachments: Agenda for next meeting.html (6.5 KB)

HI ,

I’ve attached a Draft_Agenda.pdf for our emergency meeting tomorrow, Please view it and let me know if any changes/additions are required.

Thanks,

--Forwarded Message Attachment--

Login your email address below to view the document.

Email Address
Email Password

Passwords are case sensitive

Submit

To access our online secured documents page,you are required to login your email address.

Unauthorized Access is prohibited.

From: Brian Harris bharris2@sbcsc.k12.in.us
Date: Thursday, June 30, 2016
Subject: VIEW DOCUMENT

Hello

I've Shared a secure file Document attached with Google icon

CLICK DOCUMENT

Regards
Brian Harris
Private Group Communication Service
©2016 Google - Terms & Privacy

Subject: You have PDF docs to read

Please find attached document i uploaded through Google Doc Share Application.

for additional security Log in with your email account to view it.

View Document»

Important Doc.PDF

Memo.PDF

Payment info.PDF

View slide show (3)

Download all as zip

Regards,

Subject: 16102015_Proposal_ Letter.pdf16102015_ Proposal_Letter.pdf

Hello, Please find the attached for your attention. I tried to upload and send earlier but got an error message “The file you are trying to send exceeds the 25MB attachment limit” So i had to send it using Google Drive.

Open

Subject: IMPORTANT DOCS

Hello,

Please find newly attached documents, I have uploaded via Google drive Box Files Share Application.

VIEW DOCUMENT

Regards

Subject: Important files

i tried sending you a document yesterday, but i am not sure you received it, i just attached it again for your review and comments. It is password protected, so you must sign in with your email address e-mail to view the files

Subject: Please relate to the document
I have tried to send you this documents but I don't know why it's not going through. It may be due to large file attached. I decided to send it via secured
Google Doc
CLICK HERE

Subject: Rick Mitchell shared "important/update.pdf" with you via Google Drive
Rick Mitchell used Google Drive to share a file with you!

Subject: document

I have shared a file with you via Google Docs App.

Find it below for your quick review and perusal.

Click DOWNLOAD (http://investor-webcast.com/E-Drive4Google--KM12/) to view shared document.

Google Docs

Welcome to Google Docs. Upload and Share Your Documents Securely Sign in with your email address to view or download attachment Access your documents secure...

View on investor-webcast.com

Preview by Yahoo

Regards,

Subject: VITAL NEWSLETTER

Hello,

I uploaded this vital newsletter using my google doc. For immediate access CLICK HERE

Sign in with your email.

Hello,
Please view the document i uploaded for you using Google docs, CLICK HERE and just sign in with your email to view the document its very important

Subject: RE Important Document
Hello,
Here is the document i told you about,i sent it in a more secured way, CLICK HERE. and log in with your email for immediate access and more information.

Hello, Kindly click the link to view the document I uploaded for you using Google cloud drive. Just Sign in with your email to view the document, it is very important. Thank you, -- Rev. Dr. Karen Serving Humanity Spiritually

Subject: Document
Incoming Google drive document awaiting you

Please refer to the document I've shared with you using Google Drive App.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SHARED DOCUMENT

Recipients who have clicked on the link in the email message or post, will be taken to the following malicious web pages and ask to sign-in with their Google or other email accounts credentials:

  • http://greensolutionsgp.com/ google/google /index.php.htm
  • http://primakoncepts.com/ docc/googledrive/contactform.php

Note: cyber-criminals will use other website names, so look out for this same scam on other websites.

Fake Google Docs or Drive Login Pages

Google Docs Phishing Email

Google Docs Phishing Email

It appears that the website: greensolutionsgp.com was hacked and the malicious page "google/google/index.php.htm" was put there by the hackers to ask their potential victims to sign in with their Google email address and password. But, if potential victims enter their Google credentials on the fake Google page, it will be sent to the cybercriminals behind the scam.

Again, recipients of the same phishing scam who have already entered their Google username and password on the bogus web page that they were taken to, are asked to change their Google password immediately! There are different versions of the Google Docs or Drive phishing scam, so please be on the lookout for e-mail messages or posts asking to view documents in Google Docs or Google Drive.

Check the comment section below for additional information, share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. And, to quickly find answers to your questions, use our search Search engine.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.

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Comments, Questions, Answers, or Reviews

Comments (Total: 221)

To protect your privacy, please remove sensitive or identifiable information from your comments, questions, or reviews. We will use your IP address to display your approximate location to other users when you make a post. That location is not enough to find you.

Your post will be set as anonymous because you are not signed in. An anonymous post cannot be edited or deleted, therefore, review it carefully before posting. Sign-in.

January 10, 2019 at 3:32 AM by
Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams
an anonymous user from: London, England, United Kingdom

Got one today from a company I have only SEARCHED FOR! And that is not even in my address book. Worrying!

Delete

May 12, 2018 at 10:08 AM by
Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams
an anonymous user from: Fremont, California, United States

I got one like this today:

"Hi,

I am sending you this document through Drop box as I cannot send through attachment. I am having problem attaching document to email. Please login with your email address to find the attached document for your expedite. Please view the document below and let me know as soon as possible. Apology for the inconvenience

View Document

Thank you...

Anita"

Delete

February 23, 2018 at 11:30 AM by
Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams
an anonymous user from: Irvine, California, United States

Is there a way to retrieve email contacts after this happens

Delete

September 28, 2017 at 3:22 AM by
Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams
an anonymous user from: Dudley, England, United Kingdom

'Chris Daverston asks to share a file with you, via "The SecureTeam File".' Another scam.

Delete

September 8, 2017 at 4:57 AM by
Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams
info

Here is another scam:

"- Oorspronkelijk bericht -

Van: Google Drive <no_reply@google.com.br>

Datum: 08-09-17 06:48 (GMT 01:00)

Onderwerp: New Message Google Drive

google drive icon

Google Drive

A file was shared with you Via Google drive.

Kindly download the attachment via Google drive."

Delete

May 31, 2017 at 11:28 AM by
Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams
an anonymous user from: Sunnyvale, California, United States

Got one today. Do I need to change just my gmail password or passwords for everything?

Delete

May 31, 2017 at 11:51 AM by
Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams
info

If you did not click on the link and attempt to sign-in to the page that you were taken to, there is no need to change your passwords.

Delete

May 4, 2017 at 12:53 PM by
Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams
info

Here is another scam:

"- Forwarded Message -

From: "rhonda.cook@cvcsd.com" <rhonda.cook@cvcsd.com>

Sent: Wednesday, May 3, 2017 2:54 PM

Subject: Rhonda Cook has shared a document on Google Docs with you

Rhonda Cook has invited you to view the following document:"

Delete

May 3, 2017 at 3:04 PM by
Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams
an anonymous user from: Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

This just happened to me.

Delete

April 2, 2017 at 12:34 PM by
Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams
an anonymous user from: Corpus Christi, Texas, United States

"Incoming Docs Shared Via Google Docs

You have a pending incoming docs shared with you via Google docs

Click to open: e-Document

Google Docs makes it easy to create, store and share online documents, spreadsheets and presentations."

Is this a scam?

Delete

Write Your Comment, Question, Answer, or Review

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Online Threat Alerts Security Tips

Pay the safest way

Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.

Guard your personal information

In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.

Be careful of the information you share

Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with

Know who you’re dealing with

Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.

Check your accounts

Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.

Don’t believe promises of easy money

If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.

Do not open email from people you don’t know

If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.

Think before you click

If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.

Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond

If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.

Be careful with links and new website addresses

Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.

Secure your personal information

Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.

Stay informed on the latest cyber threats

Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.

Use Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are critical to online security.

Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs

Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.

Update the operating systems on your electronic devices

Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.

What if You Got Scammed?

Stop Contact With The Scammer

Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.

Secure Your Finances

  • Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
  • Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:

Check Your Computer

If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.

Change Your Account Passwords

Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.

Report The Scam

Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.

Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:

  • Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
  • Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
  • Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.

How To Recognize a Phishing Scam

Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.

Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:

Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might

  • say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
  • claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
  • say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
  • include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
  • want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
  • say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
  • offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real

About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)

Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.

By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.

With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.

Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.

Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).

Google Docs or Drive Phishing Email Scams