How to recognize "Google Voice" scam websites

What kind of scam is "Google Voice"?

This "Google Voice" webpage is a phishing scam. The page claims the user has received a secure voicemail and lures them into disclosing their Gmail account log-in credentials. It must be stressed that this scam is not associated with any legitimate services or entities.

"Google Voice" scam overview

This scam states that the user has received a new "Google Voice" message. This voicemail contains sensitive information and has been secured. The deceptive webpage instructs to press the "Listen to voicemail" button to access the message. The next page asks the user to complete a fake CAPTCHA verification test. Afterward, they are redirected to a phishing site imitating the Gmail account sign-in page.

Phishing websites operate by recording entered data and sending it to the scammers. It must be emphasized that the information provided by this webpage is false, and this scam is not associated with the real Google Voice, Gmail, or their developer – Google LLC. Victims of this scam have their email accounts (Gmail) stolen.

Emails are of particular interest to scammers, as they tend to contain incredibly vulnerable data and are typically linked to other accounts, platforms, and services. Cyber criminals may then hijack the connected accounts, e.g., file-transferring, document/project editors, emails, social networking, messengers, entertainment, e-commerce, money transferring, online banking, digital wallets, etc.

Scammers can variously abuse hijacked accounts, such as stealing the owner's identity and asking for loans or donations from contacts/friends/followers, endorsing scams, and spreading malware by sharing malicious links or files. Stolen finance-related accounts can be used to make fraudulent transactions or online purchases.

To summarize, victims of scams like this fake "Google Voice" site can experience severe privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

If you have already revealed your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all potentially compromised accounts and inform their official support without delay.

Online scams in general

We have investigated countless online scams. They can differ greatly in appearance and modus operandi. Various lures are used to gain and subsequently abuse the victims' trust, including false claims regarding messages, account issues, website errors, system infections, critical software updates, shipping mishaps, lotteries, giveaways, etc.

Online scams seek to trick users into performing specific actions, such as disclosing sensitive data, sending money to scammers, buying products, subscribing to services, downloading/installing software, calling fake support lines, etc. Yet the end goal is always the same – to generate revenue at victims' expense.

Scams are often poorly constructed and riddled with mistakes, but they can be competently put together and even convincingly disguised as content associated with legitimate entities. Therefore, we strongly recommend vigilance when browsing online.

How did I open a scam website?

Online scams are most commonly endorsed through sites using rogue advertising networks (redirects), spam (e.g., emails, PMs/DMs, social media/ forum posts, browser notifications, SMSes, robocalls/ cold calls, etc.), malvertising (intrusive ads), typosquatting (misspelled URLs), and adware (advertisements or redirects).

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is paramount to online safety. Therefore, pay attention to URLs and enter them carefully. Be wary of websites, ads, and messages that make unbelievable promises or warn about severe threats/issues. Do not use sites offering pirated software/media or other dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages typically use rogue advertising networks.

Do not permit suspect pages to deliver browser notifications; ignore or deny their notification requests (i.e., click "Block", "Block Notifications", etc.). Do not open attachments or links found in questionable/irrelevant emails and other messages.

Download only from official/trustworthy sources and be attentive when installing (e.g., read terms, study options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous software (like adware) from infiltrating the system.

If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.

Text presented in "Google Voice" pop-up:

Google Voice

You have a secure voicemail
You've received a new protected voicemail. Click below to access your message securely.

Secured with end-to-end encryption

Listen to voicemail

Privacy Notice:This voicemail contains sensitive information. Only authorized recipients should access this message. Your activity may be monitored for security purposes.

The appearance of "Google Voice" pop-up scam (GIF):

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is "Google Voice" phishing scam?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a pop-up scam?

Pop-up scams are messages designed to deceive users into performing specific actions, e.g., providing sensitive data, calling fake support lines, making monetary transactions, downloading/installing software, purchasing products, subscribing to services, etc.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

The purpose of pop-up scams is to generate revenue for scammers. Profit is primarily made by abusing/selling private data, promoting content (e.g., sites, software, products, services, etc.), obtaining funds through deception, and proliferating malware.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by a pop-up scam, what should I do?

If you have provided your log-in credentials – immediately change the passwords of all possibly exposed accounts and inform their official support. However, if you have disclosed other private information (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, credit card numbers, etc.) – contact relevant authorities without delay.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Pop-up scams are most commonly encountered via intrusive ads, spam (e.g., browser notifications, emails, PMs/DMs, social media posts, etc.), webpages using rogue advertising networks, typosquatting, and adware.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams?

Combo Cleaner can scan visited websites and detect rogue, scam, and malicious sites. Additionally, it can restrict all further access to such webpages.