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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
James Rodger & Kate Lally

Gmail users warned 'check now' as scammers break into accounts

Every Gmail user is being warned to look out for an alarming new scam that can allow fraudsters to "break into your account".

Cybersecurity engineer Chris Plummer shared a screenshot of the fake email he received on Twitter this week. The message claimed to officially be from shipping giant UPS.

Worryingly, the sender of the email was "verified" with the UPS logo in the profile image.

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The scam email read: "Hi Christopher, your package is arriving today. From RUNNING WAREHOUSE. Scheduled Delivery."

Mr Plummer said: "There is most certainly a bug in Gmail being exploited by scammers to pull this off. The sender found a way to dupe @gmail’s authoritative stamp of approval, which end users are going to trust. Check yours now.

"This message went from a Facebook account, to a UK netblock, to O365, to me. Nothing about this is legit."

Google's security team said it is taking a a "closer look" at the scam, Birmingham Live reports. An alert on the Gmail website states: "Phishing is an attempt to steal personal information or break into online accounts using deceptive emails, messages, ads or sites that look similar to sites you already use.

"For example, a phishing email may look as though it's from your bank and request private information about your bank account."

Phishing messages or content may ask for your personal or financial information, ask you to click links or download software, impersonate a reputable organisation, such as your bank, a social media site you use or your workplace or even impersonate someone you know, such as a family member, friend or co-worker.

The scam emails - which can trick anybody, according to experts - look exactly like a message from an organisation or person you trust. To report a phishing email on Gmail click the "more" option (next to "reply") and then select the "report phishing" option.

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