Some Google Pay/Wallet users receiving unsettling "new card added" emails

In an unusual development over the past several hours, Google Wallet users (formerly Google Pay) from various regions, including the U.S. and the U.K., have been flooded with emails claiming that new cards have been added to their Google accounts. The catch? Many of these users swear they haven’t added any new cards at all. Undoubtedly, the unexpected surge of these emails has sparked huge concerns across online forums.

The emails, complete with official-looking Google branding, state: “You added a new card to your Google Account,” with some specifying that the addition came via Google Chrome. What’s puzzling is that many recipients haven’t added any new cards, and when they check their accounts, no new cards are listed. Despite this, the notifications continue to roll in, suggesting something more nefarious could be at play.

One user described receiving a flurry of emails, only to find that no additional cards had appeared in their account. In a panic, they deleted their payment methods and reset their password. But just when they thought the problem was solved, another email arrived, claiming yet another card had been added. It’s a frustrating cycle. For some users, this ordeal has been relentless, with over 10 emails flooding their inboxes, each claiming a new card has been added — despite there being no evidence of it in their accounts.

So far, no official response from Google has surfaced. At this point, it seems more like a harmless glitch with Google’s notification system rather than something more serious. Still, many remain cautious, especially as some emails reference old, expired cards — cards that were certainly not added back to their accounts. Interestingly, this wave of confusion isn’t isolated to one region or platform. Users from both iOS and Android have reported the same issue.

The email itself appears fairly standard, even legitimate at first glance. It confirms the addition of a debit card, showing a partially masked card number and providing a link to “Manage your card.” The message format looks identical to typical security alerts sent by Google, which is likely why so many users were initially alarmed. What’s adding to the mystery is the absence of Google’s usual disclaimer: “If you didn’t do this, please notify us or change your password immediately.” The lack of this critical sentence has led many to question whether they’re being targeted by phishing attempts.

For now, it seems there’s no evidence of actual security breaches — no suspicious logins, no unauthorized transactions. The anxiety is understandable, but this could just be an overly active notification bug on Google’s part. Until Google provides clarity, though, users are erring on the side of caution.

In light of this, it’s worth logging into your Google account (directly, not via any links in the emails) and double-checking your payment methods for any unexpected additions. Changing your password, especially if it’s been a while, won’t hurt either. Keeping an eye on your bank and credit card accounts is always a smart move. And, if any email seems particularly fishy, it’s best to report it to Google directly. Ignoring suspicious links and staying vigilant about account activity is the safest bet while this situation continues to unfold.

This story is still developing as more reports trickle in, but so far, the incident seems more of a scare than an actual crisis. Nevertheless, Google Wallet users are eagerly waiting for an official explanation from Google to bring some much-needed peace of mind.