Happy Friday A few weeks ago, we released a podcast episode about Facebook AI hackers, detailing how a local business owner was tricked into giving away access to his account. The scammer used an AI-generated FaceTime call from a trusted friend to deceive him. Shockingly, this is just the tip of the iceberg—scammers are weaponizing AI-generated videos to create false trust and steal money.
This week, YouTube issued a warning about a phishing attack leveraging AI-generated video of the company’s CEO. Attackers are using it to trick content creators into handing over their credentials by sending a private video through email, falsely claiming YouTube is updating its monetization policy.
How This Attack Works
Phishers often impersonate YouTube by exploiting platform features to link users to malicious content. In this latest scam, creators are directed to a fraudulent page—studio.youtube-plus[.]com—where they're told to confirm the "updated YouTube Partner Program (YPP) terms" or risk losing access to monetization. Once they enter their credentials, the scammers gain full control of their accounts.
Many creators who fell for the scam reported that attackers hijacked their channels and used them to broadcast live cryptocurrency scams—a common tactic for maximizing damage before victims can react.
The Takeaway
If you or someone you know may have been affected:
1) Check YouTube’s Help Center – They offer tips on spotting and reporting phishing emails.
2) Use YouTube’s new support assistant – Since August 2024, YouTube has provided a dedicated recovery tool for securing hacked accounts.
3) Stay vigilant – Never click on unverified links, and always double-check URLs before entering your login details.
Scammers thrive on urgency and fear—don’t let them pressure you into acting without verifying the source first.
And, if you want to hear more about AI-driven scams and other cybersecurity topics, all for free, check out our Cyber Secured Podcast series on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube Podcasts.
Stay safe out there. -Attila
New Friday Funnies
How many YouTubers does it take to change a light bulb?
Hit like and subscribe to find out!
Why was the YouTuber so good at handling cows?
They were used to milking content.
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