![How to Avoid the Google Docs Phishing Scam Hitting Michigan Users](http://townsquare.media/site/904/files/2017/05/GettyImages-72130065.jpg?w=630&h=415&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
How to Avoid the Google Docs Phishing Scam Hitting Michigan Users
A particularly dangerous new scam has popped into unsuspecting email inboxes inviting users to collaborate on a Google Doc. Here's how to avoid the scam, and what it might do to your information if you click the link.
Internet Technology professionals began circulating warnings on Wednesday (May 3) about the new Google Docs scam, like this one from Suburban Detroit firm TAZ Networks
Quite simply don't click on an invite from someone asking you to share a Google Doc.
This particular scam is described as sneaky, sophisticated and vicious.
A massive and sophisticated phishing scam spread across the web Wednesday afternoon, tricking people into giving up access to their Google accounts. Some people, like Reddit user JakeSteam, say the scam is so sophisticated it's virtually undetectable.
The scam sends potential victims a link to what appears to be a Google Doc from someone they know and directs them to Google's actual account selection screen, JakeSteam wrote. The emails look legit but are addressed to "hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh@mailinator.com," according to Motherboard.
What exactly is phishing and how can it hurt you?
Phishing is the attempt to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details (and, indirectly, money), often for malicious reasons, by disguising as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
BONUS VIDEO: 2 Minutes of Natural Zen - Fly Over Maple Lake in Paw Paw
[h/t WFRG]
More From WKMI
![Cedar Point Opens This Weekend; Take A Look At Some of the Changes](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2017/05/millenniumforce_2_IMG_7310.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![International Soccer To Be Played At Comerica Park In Detroit](http://townsquare.media/site/690/files/2017/05/Comerica-Park.png?w=980&q=75)
![Flint, Michigan Man Gets Fine, Probation for Seinfeld-esque 10 Cent Bottle Deposit Scam](http://townsquare.media/site/904/files/2017/05/Seinfeld-bottle-deposit-Arrow-Design-via-YouTube.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Kalamazoo Voters Say NO to 911 Proposal; Yes to K-RESA Millage](http://townsquare.media/site/656/files/2016/02/Kalamazoo-County-Courthouse-Google-Maps-Feb-22-2016.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Welcome Back Miggy](http://townsquare.media/site/656/files/2017/05/GettyImages-676654344.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Has the Democrat Party Been Hijacked?](http://townsquare.media/site/656/files/2017/05/May-Day-Celebrations-2017-Old-couple-and-activists-Getty-Images-by-Spencer-Platt.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![3 Ways To Get Rid Of Moles Without Killing Them](http://townsquare.media/site/689/files/2017/05/mole.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Here’s a Way to Pay for the Wall](http://townsquare.media/site/656/files/2017/05/Build-a-border-wall-Getty-Images-By-Alexander-Koerner.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Michigan Has A Haunted Mill Open To Ghost Hunters](http://townsquare.media/site/904/files/2017/04/Capture6.png?w=980&q=75)