Scammers using AI to impersonate Google Support: How to save your Gmail account

Using AI, scammers are going the extra mile to ensure their deception is convincing. Here's what you need to know about the latest scam targeting Gmail users.

Cyber threats have always been a major problem that netizens have faced since the advent of the internet. With the rise of generative AI and artificial intelligence in general, these threats have become more sophisticated. And now, in particular, scammers have devised new techniques, beyond the traditional “phishing scam,” targeting Gmail users. This issue was recently highlighted in a report by McAfee. The report says that scammers are going the extra mile to ensure their deception is convincing. They are paying extra attention to detail, making sure their scams appear legitimate. To achieve this, they use convincing phone calls and other deceptive tactics. Here’s all you need to know.

Gmail users, beware! Scammers are now using AI to be more convincing. (Unsplash)

By Shaurya Sharma

Shaurya Sharma is the Technology Editor at Hindustan Times Digital Streams, where he oversees technology coverage across digital and social platforms. With over eight years of experience across editorial, video production, and digital media, his work focuses on smartphones, AI, consumer gadgets, and shaping audience-first content strategies for modern tech consumers.

He began his career in 2018 as a fashion cinematographer before turning his lifelong passion for technology into a profession. From spending his childhood immersed in tech magazines, video games, and the latest gadgets to covering the global consumer tech industry today, technology has remained a constant throughout his journey.

Over the years, Shaurya has worked with some of India’s leading media organisations, including CNN-News18, Sportskeeda, and Guiding Tech, where he led video initiatives that combined strong editorial storytelling with engaging visual and social-first execution.

A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Manipal University, Shaurya has reviewed hundreds of products across categories including smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, cameras, and wearables. Beyond work, he is passionate about animal welfare, environmental causes, and automobiles, particularly turbo-petrol cars

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Scammers Trying to Hack Your Gmail Account: What You Must Know

The report says that scammers often impersonate Google support representatives. They may call you, claiming to be from Google, and even appear to be calling from an official Google number. Using AI, they mimic official representatives and sound highly professional.

These scams can escalate quickly, as scammers use persuasive tactics to extract sensitive details from victims. Scammers often employ fear tactics, claiming that your Gmail account has seen suspicious activity or that an unauthorised login attempt was made on your behalf. They pressure users into taking immediate action by sending an email that resembles a legitimate Google security notification. These emails, complete with Google branding, typically ask the recipient to verify their identity.

Once you enter the verification code, the scammers gain access to your Gmail account. After that, they disable two-factor authentication, locking out the real user. Since many Gmail accounts are linked to financial services, banks, and other sensitive platforms, scammers can then exploit this access to steal your hard-earned money.

How To Stay Safe And Identify Fake Google Representatives

1. Verify the caller’s legitimacy: As a general rule, cross-check whether the person is genuinely from Google. Also, Google typically does not call users in such situations.
2. Check your Google account settings: If someone claims your account was compromised, go to your Google account settings and review recent activity. This allows you to verify login attempts without clicking on suspicious links.
3. Never share one-time passwords or verification codes: legitimate representative will ever ask for these codes. And, never share verification codes received via email or mobile.
4. Enable two-factor authentication and use a password manager: Services like Google Authenticator provide an additional layer of security. Plus, a password manager helps generate and store strong passwords securely.