This week, a clever scam is hitting inboxes, featuring a video that seems to come straight from YouTube’s CEO. In the clip, the “CEO” announces a big shake-up to YouTube’s income rules, insisting you need to accept new terms and conditions to keep earning from your channel. The video warns that you’ve got just seven days to act—or risk losing key features. Sounds urgent, right? Don’t fall for it.
Here’s the twist: that CEO isn’t real. Cybercriminals have tapped into Artificial Intelligence (AI) to whip up a convincing fake video, complete with a scripted pitch designed to fool you. The video’s description nudges you to click a link to “accept” the new terms. But that link? It takes you to a bogus website run by the scammers. If you type in your login details there, they’ll snatch your credentials in a heartbeat and hijack your YouTube account. Next thing you know, your channel could be pumping out cryptocurrency scam videos.
Want to stay safe from this phishing ploy? Here’s what to do:
- Double-check unexpected emails. Don’t trust a random message—log in to YouTube through the official app or website to see if there’s any truth to the claims.
- Steer clear of sketchy links. Before clicking, hover your cursor over any URL to peek at the domain. If it looks off, skip it.
- Don’t let urgency push you. Scammers love to create panic with tight deadlines. A legit YouTube policy change wouldn’t likely come with such a short fuse.
This scam is slick, but a little skepticism can go a long way. Keep your account secure and don’t let the fakes catch you off guard!
