Phishing Scam Alert

YouTube has issued a warning to its creators about a new phishing scam that utilizes AI-generated videos. The scam involves a fake video of YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, which is shared privately with users. The video claims that YouTube is making changes to its monetization policy and attempts to trick creators into revealing their login credentials.

According to YouTube, the company will never attempt to contact users or share information through private videos. If a user receives a private video claiming to be from YouTube, it is likely a phishing scam. The company advises creators to be cautious and report any suspicious activity.

This type of scam is not new, as there have been reports of similar phishing attempts on Reddit. In one instance, a user received an email from a fake YouTube account, instructing them to download a malicious file. Another user reported! receiving a private video from a fake channel, which asked them to agree to a new monetization policy on a fake DocuSign site.

YouTube emphasizes that phishers often target creators by exploiting the platform's features to link to malicious content. The company encourages creators to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their accounts.

In 2023, a Reddit user spotted a deepfake video of Neal Mohan, which was likely an early attempt at this type of phishing scam. YouTube's warning serves as a reminder for creators to be aware of these types of scams and to report any suspicious activity to the platform.