Before filling out any form, it’s important to exercise caution, even if the form appears to be legitimate. Google Forms, a less well-known component of the Google Drive suite, provides an easy and user-friendly way to create online forms for various purposes such as collecting information from others. While it can be used for constructive activities like employee surveys or event planning, malicious individuals can also exploit it.

Scammers can quickly generate these forms with professional-looking design elements and a genuine Google Docs URL that appears legitimate to unsuspecting users. They may then utilize these authentic-looking forms to deceive individuals into providing sensitive information like payment details or login credentials.

This type of scam is becoming increasingly prevalent, prompting Google to issue a warning about it in February. For instance, members of Stanford University were targeted with a fraudulent Google Forms link requesting login credentials for their academic portal. These attacks can bypass standard email security measures.

Typically, these scams commence with a phishing email designed to mimic official communications from colleagues, administrators, or reputable organizations. The deceptive nature of these emails is crucial to the success of the scam. Urgency or claims of compromised security are often used to manipulate recipients into taking action.

Moreover, scammers may send these phishing emails from compromised legitimate accounts within your social or professional circles. In such cases, verifying the sender’s identity becomes challenging since the email address seems authentic despite subtle discrepancies in language or style.

The phishing email may include a link to a Google Forms document disguised as a trusted entity such as your workplace or bank. This form might request sensitive data, distribute malware through provided links, or direct you towards further fraudulent activities.

As Google Forms are hosted on Google’s servers, they do not raise immediate suspicion. Scammers can easily alter URLs to avoid detection by security software. Employing common-sense precautions is pivotal in safeguarding against such scams—question any unexpected requests and verify their legitimacy directly with the supposed sender.

Avoid divulging login credentials or financial information on Google Forms documents (identified by “docs.google.com” in the browser’s address bar). Genuine forms typically lack intricate layouts and contain basic buttons like “Submit” and “Clear.”

A legitimate Google Forms document should display messages like “never submit passwords” or “content is neither created nor endorsed by Google.” These indicators help distinguish genuine forms from fraudulent ones sent by seemingly trustworthy sources. If uncertain, contact the source directly before sharing sensitive details.

All Google Forms have a “Report” button at the bottom for flagging suspicious activity. If you have already shared information with a potentially fraudulent form, promptly change your passwords and notify relevant parties about possible security breaches.

Awareness of such scams is crucial in enhancing your defenses against them. Additionally, maintaining updated software on your devices can enhance security measures against malicious links and potential threats encountered online.