CYBERSECURITY experts have warned Google users to be vigilant when receiving messages.
Certain messages are clear signs of a scam and should be ignored and deleted.
Experts at Trend Micro revealed five popular Google Chat scams on the cybersecurity site blog.
The scam on the list involves romance and this can appear in many forms.
ROMANCE SCAMS
You may get a message from a fake profile asking to be friends or to chat.
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If the conversation turns romantic quickly and you're suddenly asked for money, this is a warning sign.
"These scams often involve emotional manipulation to deceive victims," Trend Micro warned.
COMMON PHISHING
Common phishing can involve a scammer actively seeking information like your address, password, and date of birth.
This may come in the form of a fake survey sent to you or another malicious link that can steal your private information.
TECH SUPPORT SCAM
If you receive a message from tech support via Google Chat, be very wary.
"Tech support scams involve scammers posing as Google Chat representatives or tech support agents.
"They claim that there is an issue with your account or device and ask for remote access or payment to fix the problem," Trend Micro explains.
Google's tech support would not contact you in this way.
JOB OFFERS
Another scam trend flagged by the expert involves fake job offers.
It's not common to be offered a job via Google Chat and if the offer seems too good to be true it likely is.
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Make sure you thoroughly do your research when it comes to new career opportunities.
INVESTMENT SCAMS
If you're being offered an investment opportunity online, it's also worth doing your own research.
This is a common technique used by scammers to take your cash and give you nothing in return.
"These scams are very popular on many platforms, and Google Chat is no different.
"Scammers may promise high returns on investments or ask for money to invest in fake opportunities," Trend Micro warns.
