Google is warning users to remain cautious this month as scammers ramp up their operations on job sites, app stores, and shopping platforms. In an advisory issued on November 6, Google’s Trust and Safety team highlighted a spike in advanced scams, many leveraging AI, targeting job seekers, small enterprises, and holiday shoppers. Significant threats include:

Fraudulent job listings: Scammers pose as employers, asking for advance payments for “training” or “processing.” Some conduct bogus interviews to gather banking or identification details. Google advises applying exclusively through verified company websites.

Review blackmail: Businesses are subjected to fake one-star reviews followed by demands for ransom to remove them. Google is rolling out tools for merchants to directly report these occurrences.

AI impersonation frauds: Scammers take advantage of AI buzz to advertise fake “free” tools or apps that install malware or capture credentials. Only download from official app stores or websites.

Deceptive VPN applications: Fraudulent VPNs masquerading as reputable brands circulate on social media and third-party sites, often asking for excessive permissions or delivering spyware.

Scams for recovery of funds: Scammers impersonate investigators or government agencies, claiming they can recover stolen money for a fee. Genuine organizations do not charge for starting a case.

Scams during holiday shopping: As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, the prevalence of fake storefronts and phishing messages is on the rise. Be wary of deals that appear too good to be true and unexpected delivery notifications.