Google Storage Full Phishing Email Scam

[jymbee]

Lately I'm getting numerous emails warning me that my Google Storage is maxed out and I need to upgrade-- or something to that effect. Checking the link destination-- storage.googleapis.com -- at first glance it looks legit but given I have zero online storage it's obviously a scan. Quick search shows what they're trying to do:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

A storage-full notification email showing a storage.googleapis.com link is a known cloud phishing tactic. Scammers abuse legitimate Google Cloud infrastructure to host redirect scripts or landing pages that look safe at a glance, but actually push credential-stealing pages or malware.

Why This Scam Looks Real

• • Trusted Domain Abuse: The link points to storage.googleapis.com, which is a real Google-owned domain used for cloud storage buckets. Scammers create a public bucket with a random or deceptive name to host files there.
  • Bypassing Suspicion: Because the domain belongs to Google and uses HTTPS with a valid lock icon, security filters and cautious users often mistake it for an official communication.
  • The Redirect Trick: Clicking the link loads a file hosted on Google's legitimate storage that immediately bounces your browser to an external, malicious fake login page.

 

[garyb1st]

Email scams have become the fastest growing cottage industry. I've been getting emails from my x-wife on a daily basis. Oddly the email addy suggests it is usually from some foreign country.

 

[John From Detroit]

Lately I'm getting numerous emails warning me that my Google Storage is maxed out and I need to upgrade-- or something to that effect. Checking the link destination-- storage.googleapis.com -- at first glance it looks legit but given I have zero online storage it's obviously a scan. Quick search shows what they're trying to do:

I get "Your online account is about to be deleted and all your photos will be gone.

My photos are stored about 8" to the left of the computer on a HARD DRIVE with backup on another one to the right of the computer. Only a tiny few are stored "online" and those are backed up on the hard drives.

I get a lot of other Scam e-mail too Thankfully both my Mail servers flag most of 'em.

 

[jymbee]

My photos are stored about 8" to the left of the computer on a HARD DRIVE with backup on another one to the right of the computer. Only a tiny few are stored "online" and those are backed up on the hard drives.

A bit different in my case. One external HD is probably 12" from the PC and others are around 16".

Coming from a photo background where everything was shot in RAW I had use to "cloud" storage. Still don't.

 

[Tulecreeper]

And this is why using Cloud storage is a mistake. All my records, documents, and photos are stored here on my PC.

 

[jymbee]

And this is why using Cloud storage is a mistake. All my records, documents, and photos are stored here on my PC.

I guess one could make case that in one way cloud storage is safer given some kind of event at home could wipe you out. But I'm with you. Nothing of any consequence on the "cloud".

 

[John From Detroit]

Lately I'm getting numerous emails warning me that my Google Storage is maxed out and I need to upgrade-- or something to that effect. Checking the link destination-- storage.googleapis.com -- at first glance it looks legit but given I have zero online storage it's obviously a scan. Quick search shows what they're trying to do:

`Been getting that and
Payment faild your cloud account will be deleted and your pictures gone
(Pictures are on T:/Pictures not cloud)
and a host of variations on that for years.

Oh by they way Payment did, in fact, fail (was never authorized) and the cloud pictures ARE in fact gone... I only have one cloud account and everything on it's backed up here.