One mistake could cost money: Israelis are being attacked in the name of Google

A new scam is spreading in Israel where fraudsters impersonate Google representatives, warning victims about an account hack from Iran and convincing them to call a fake support center, which could lead to loss of money or data.

A new scam is gaining momentum in Israel, in which fraudsters impersonate Google representatives. Users receive fake messages about an alleged attempt to hack their account from Iran. The victim is urged to urgently call a "support center" at a provided number. Some numbers use the prefix 1-809, which visually resembles the toll-free 1-800, but calls may be charged as international. After calling, the user reaches a fake center where scammers try to obtain confidential information or access to accounts. The scheme was discovered by Fisherman Security specialists, who noted the use of fear and urgency. A similar scheme was previously used against users of the Binance cryptocurrency exchange. Experts recommend not calling numbers from suspicious messages and checking account status only through the official website or app.