Google has issued a warning to all Gmail users, indicating that alerts they receive on their phones about suspicious account activity might be fraudulent and intended to compromise their devices.

Back in February, a Reddit user shared their experience of receiving a message from ‘Gmail from Google,’ which claimed that their email account had been compromised and required recovery.

The user mentioned, “Earlier, I received several emails notifying me of ‘sign on attempts’ from various IP addresses located in Venezuela, Bangladesh, and other locations.”

Unfortunately, this alert turned out to be a scam, tricking the recipient into clicking a link that led them to a fake Google webpage. This deceptive site then captured their password and phone number.

Although Google does send genuine notifications about preventing suspicious sign-ins when accounts are targeted by hackers, the tech giant acknowledges that cybercriminals have been mimicking these alerts to frighten users into giving up access to their accounts.

Google warned: ‘Always be wary of messages that ask for personal information like usernames, passwords, or other identification information, or send you to unfamiliar websites asking for this information.’

The Reddit user revealed they had reused their Gmail password across multiple websites, potentially giving scammers access to most of their online activity.

The victim said they only realized they had been scammed by a fake phone alert after checking the official Google account records of activity and finding there was never any suspicious sign-in detected.

Google has warned that hackers are making fake warnings that Gmail users had suffered an unauthorized access in their accounts (stock image) 

Once a victim opens this malicious link using their phone, the phishing scam can compromise this mobile device itself, especially on Android phones, as malware disguised as a ‘Google security check’ may be downloaded into the device.

This can lead to the device being fully hijacked, allowing hackers to spy on the phone’s activity, steal data stored or entered on the device, and potentially gain remote access to the phone.

In their Account Help center, Google recommended Gmail users take six immediate steps if they ever receive ‘suspicious sign-in prevented’ on their phones.

Without clicking on any link that may have been sent along with the Gmail warning, the tech giant urges users to first go to their Google Account.

Once on the page, users will see their email displayed at the center of the screen, and to the left, there will be a navigation panel where they need to click Security.

The third step is to review your most recent security alerts by clicking on the ‘Recent security events’ panel.

There, any suspicious logins over the last month will be posted with the time and location of the sign-in. Google users should suspect something is wrong if they see a sign-in from a state or country they have never visited, or at times when they knew they were not online.

If you see activity that Google would call ‘unfamiliar,’ Gmail users can then click the option to ‘secure your account’ at the top of the page.

Google recommends that anyone receiving the emails avoid clicking links sent and go straight to their Google Account page

Google has reported that the number of ‘suspicious sign-in prevented’ emails sent has sharply increased since last year (stock image) 

From there, Google will guide users on how to change their password. However, cybersecurity experts urge all of Google’s 1.8b illion Gmail users to also enable two-factor authentication.

This adds another layer of security by sending a secret code to a person’s phone, email or to the Authenticator app when they log into certain sites.

Google confirmed in August 2025 that hackers were stepping up their attacks on Gmail in an effort to gain more passwords and potentially access millions of accounts around the world.

This included more fraudulent ‘suspicious sign-in prevented’ emails being sent to fearful Gmail users who panic and click the link, hoping to secure their digital lifelines.

‘I panicked. Normally, I would recognize this as phishing, but it had never happened on the phone before, and I clicked on the link, “signing on,” which gave the scammer my Gmail password,’ the Reddit user explained.

Cyber experts have previously warned the Daily Mail that email users also need to use strong, complex passwords to secure their accounts from hackers who may try to guess them. It is also considered good ‘digital hygiene’ to not continually reuse the same passwords all over the internet.

‘Why, in 2026, would you use the same password on multiple sites?’ one person asked the Reddit user. 

‘2FA [two-factor authentication] can be annoying or cumbersome at times, but with it on, you should be fine from now on. Faith in the Authenticator app!’ another person added.

In a remarkable twist, what initially seemed like an ordinary prom night at a school located southwest of Oklahoma City transformed into a heartfelt tribute. Principal Kirk Moore was unexpectedly crowned prom king, weeks after his courageous actions saved students’ lives. Moore had bravely intervened by tackling a gunman inspired by the infamous Columbine shooting.

“It was an incredible experience,” shared junior Rachel Hamilton. “It felt deeply rewarding to honor him in this way, recognizing the bravery he truly deserves.”

Surveillance footage released on April 7 from Pauls Valley High School captures the moment Moore was shot in the leg while subduing the alleged gunman, identified as 20-year-old former student Victor Lee Hawkins. Authorities report that Hawkins, in his Columbine-inspired attack, entered the school with two semiautomatic handguns, ordering people to the floor and attempting to shoot a student. However, his gun malfunctioned, allowing Moore to take decisive action and prevent further tragedy.

“There were so many elements at play that seemed beyond mere coincidence,” Hamilton reflected. “It truly felt like a divine presence was watching over us all.”

The crowning of Principal Kirk Moore as prom king was a poignant moment, celebrating his heroism in the face of danger when a gunman opened fire on campus. (Burk Ozbirn Oz Productions via Storyful)

In her interview on America Reports on Monday she emphasized that divine interventions prevented greater tragedies. 

Around 2:20 p.m. CT, Hamilton was making her way through the courtyard, the approximate time Hawkins attempted to attack.

“I remember I was walking, and I heard this crash, and obviously you don’t think it’s a shooter,” she said.

She continued toward the tennis courts, like any normal day, before learning Moore had been shot.

“I was the only one outside in the courtyard,” she said. “He could’ve come in that way and there were no adults around.”

Junior Isaac Jacobson learned the severity of the situation as it unfolded off campus.

Officials are seen outside Pauls Valley High School, where a shooting on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, injured principal Kirk Moore near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Jessie Christopher Smith/The Oklahoman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

“If any circumstance went differently, people would’ve died,” Jacobson said. “If his gun didn’t misfire, or if Moore wasn’t there at that moment, things would’ve been different. Just the sheer amount of coincidences that happened surrounding that situation, I don’t see any other way other than God’s hand.”

As he approached his car, like any other end to a school day, he saw a horde of police officers springing into the building. The next hour was filled with anxiety.

Unable to reach his friends due to Oklahoma schools’ phone ban, which prohibits the use of cell phones from the first bell to dismissal, he feared the worst. 

“I’m only 17,” Jacobson said. “I’m not ready to lose my friends.”

He was later relieved to learn some of his friends narrowly avoided being in the office where the confrontation occurred after they “stopped to see a random teacher” instead.

The totality of all these circumstances, the gun misfiring, Moore’s exact positioning, Jacobson’s friends’ change of plans or where Hawkins chose to enter the school led Hamilton and Jacobson to believe is direct evidence of the Lord’s hand at work.

A few weeks later, the two students said they felt prom felt like a moment of relief and an opportunity to celebrate and come together after what they believed was both physical and spiritual protection.

“Everybody seemed – not like we were not over it, but celebrating how well it went,” said Jacobson. “I went up and shook his [Moore’s] hand and thanked him for everything because I hadn’t gotten to that point.”

Pauls Valley High School principal Kirk Moore was crowned the school’s prom king after heroically tackling a gunman who opened fire on campus. (Burk Ozbirn Oz Productions via Storyful)

The two then reflected on the aftermath of what they and their community had endured.

Even though she admits “it’s kind of cliche,” Hamilton says she feels that you have to live your life to the fullest; tomorrow’s not guaranteed, which is so true, especially from a religious stance.

“Ultimately, beyond the fear, it gives me hope knowing that there’s good people like Coach Moore and others,” said Jacobson. “It gives me hope we’re able to step in and that this bravery won’t just be thrown away.”

According to court records, Hawkins has been charged with two counts of unlawful carry, two counts of pointing a firearm and one count of shooting with intent to kill. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, and bail was set at $1 million. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 8.