The fake Google email security notice below, which claims that the recipients should click on a link within it to upgrade to Gmail, in order to secure their accounts, is a phishing scam being sent by cybercriminals. The links in the fake email message go to a phishing website that steals Google account usernames and passwords. The phishing website looks exactly like Google’ own website, which makes it easier to trick Gmail or Google users into believing the fake website is legitimate.
Therefore, recipients of the fake email message (see sample below) should delete it and not follow the instructions in it. And, Gmail or Google users should never click on a link to sign into their accounts, they should instead, go directly to www.gmail.com and sign-in from there. And, if something is wrong with their accounts, they will be notified after signing in. Doing this will prevent Google users from visiting fake Gmail or Google websites that steal account credentials, personal and financial information.
The "Google Gmail User Account Upgrade" Phishing Scam
From: Account Update
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2017 5:29 AM
To: no-reply@accounts.google.com
Subject: GOOGLE EMAIL SECURITY NOTICE
Google
User Account Upgrade
Dear User,
At Google, we take the securit of our account very serioulsy.
To keep using our email services, kindly help us secure your account by updating to our latest Gmail Version [v.4.0.0.1 Build 2016]
Update
Best Regards,
The Google Account Team