Fraudsters create fake online profiles to lure their victims with offers of romance, friendship, jobs, or investment opportunities. First, scammers engage with you online - via dating sites, social media, or other web pages.Here’s how a typical Google Chat scam works:

But once you engage with them, they’ll quickly ask to move the conversation to Google Chat to prevent their social profiles from being reported and banned.Īn example of what Google Chat looks like on a desktop device. While Google Chat is an effective tool for businesses, it’s also popular with scammers.įraudsters often begin their scams on other platforms where it’s easier to attract victims - such as social media or dating sites. Google Chat - formerly “Google Hangouts” - is a messaging app that allows users to send files and collaborate on projects. What Is Google Chat? How Do Google Chat Scams Work? In this guide, we’ll explain how Google Chat scams work, the warning signs to look out for, and what you can do to protect yourself if you’ve communicated with or given sensitive information and money to a scammer. If someone wants to chat with you over Google Chat, you need to be careful. Google Chat is just one of the many platforms that scammers use to contact their victims - often by pretending to be celebrities, businesses, or even potential love interests.Īccording to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) : Nearly 70,000 Americans fell victim to romance scams in 2022 - with 40% taking place over Google Chat and other messaging platforms. Still, seven months later, she’d sent the “star” the equivalent of thousands of dollars to cover costs ranging from a private visit to a shared home. When someone claiming to be Johnny Depp contacted a 72-year-old woman via Google Chat, she knew there was a good chance she was talking to a fraudster. Is It Safe To Google Chat With Strangers?

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