Warning: The new Google scam that will make you lose thousands of shekels

A report by Channel 14 warns of a new scam on Google: fraudsters hack into trusted websites, plant fake phone numbers, and cause users to lose thousands of shekels. Experts recommend avoiding searching for phone numbers on Google and using official apps instead.

A report by Channel 14 warns of a new and sophisticated scam on Google, in which fraudsters steal thousands of shekels from users searching for phone numbers of airlines, hotels, or car rental companies. The method: fraudsters hack into trusted websites such as universities, government institutions, and charities, and plant hidden PDF files with fake phone numbers. Google's algorithm, which identifies these sites as reliable sources, promotes the false numbers to the top of search results and even in AI answers. The report tells the story of Marsha Hannan, who had to change a SWISS flight and was charged $4,500 by a scammer posing as a service representative; American Express blocked the charge. Experts recommend avoiding searching for phone numbers on Google and using the official apps of the companies. The report does not name the experts it cites.