Scams to Watch Out For

Since your business is now live on Google, scammers will try to trick you. Here's what they say, what to do, and what NOT to do.

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The Golden Rule

Google NEVER calls you. Period.

If someone says they are from Google on the phone, they are lying. Every single time. No exceptions.

What a Scam Call Sounds Like

This is a real scam call transcript. If you hear something like this, hang up immediately:

SCAM CALL (example):

"Please don't hang up the phone. This is an important message regarding your Google Business account. Our system shows a new search for your business via Google, and Google Voice clients are currently having trouble finding you. Press zero to speak with an agent immediately and verify your Google listings. Again, your business is not showing correctly on Google and Google Voice Search. Press zero to speak to an agent. Press nine to opt out. Or call [fake number]. Thank you."

Every part of this is fake:

  • "Don't hang up" — urgency trick to stop you from thinking
  • "Important message regarding your Google account" — Google has no such service
  • "Google Voice clients can't find you" — Google Voice is a phone number product, not a search tool
  • "Press zero to speak to an agent" — connects you to a scammer pretending to be Google
  • "Call [number]" — not a real Google number

The 4 Biggest Scam Patterns

Scammers rotate their script but they all fall into one of these buckets:

1. "Your listing has a problem"

"Your Google listing is not showing up" / "We found errors" / "Customers can't find you" / "Your listing will be removed."

Reality: Google does not call you about listing issues. They send emails (and only from noreply-business@google.com).

2. "Claim your listing before it expires"

"We need to verify your listing" / "Press 1 to claim" / "Your listing will be given to another business."

Reality: Google listings do not expire. You do not claim them by phone. You already have one.

3. "Pay to remove bad reviews"

"We can remove that bad review for a fee" / "Pay $X and we'll clean up your profile."

Reality: Nobody can remove a real review by paying. Only Google can remove reviews, only if they violate Google's rules, and it is always free through an official Google process.

4. "Your account will be suspended"

"Verify now or your account will be suspended" / "Your business is flagged."

Reality: If there is an actual issue with your Google Business Profile, Google emails you. They never threaten suspension by phone.

The Tricks They Use

Scammers rely on the same psychological tricks:

Urgency: "Act now" / "Your listing expires today" / "Press 0 immediately." They want you to react before you think.

Fake authority: "This is Google" / "We're the Google verification team." They drop the word Google as often as possible to sound official.

Robo-voice: Most start with a recording so they can blast thousands of calls. If you press 0, you get a live scammer.

Spoofed local numbers: The caller ID shows a local area code to make you pick up. The real call is coming from overseas.

Fake callback numbers: They give you a "Google support number" to call back. It is not Google. It is a scam call center.

What to Do When They Call

The safe response

  1. Hang up immediately. Do not listen to the whole message. Do not let them finish.
  2. Do not press any keys. Not 0 to talk to an agent. Not 9 to opt out. Pressing any key confirms your number is live and you get 10x more scam calls.
  3. Do not call the number back. The callback number is a scam call center, not Google.
  4. Block the number on your phone if your phone lets you.
  5. If you are not sure, text us. Forward the number or the message to +1 (831) 230-8743 and we will tell you if it is real.

What You Should NEVER Do

  • NEVER give your Google account password to anyone on the phone.
  • NEVER let them screen-share or install software on your phone or computer. If they ask you to download an app, hang up.
  • NEVER pay for anything by phone. Not credit card, not gift cards, not wire transfer, not cash app.
  • NEVER "verify" your Google listing by phone. Real Google verification happens through the Google Business Profile website or by postcard.
  • NEVER share the verification code Google sent you. If Google sent you a code, scammers will try to trick you into giving it to them.
  • NEVER agree to a "free audit" of your listing. It is a sales pitch with no value, or a scam to get your account info.

How to Report a Scam

Reporting helps shut these scams down and helps other business owners. It takes 2 minutes:

Report to Google

Google has a page for reporting people impersonating them:

support.google.com/business/answer/9157481

Report to the FTC

Federal Trade Commission tracks business fraud:

reportfraud.ftc.gov

Report to the FCC

Federal Communications Commission handles robocall complaints:

consumercomplaints.fcc.gov

Text Us

Not sure if a call was real? Forward the number or screenshot:

+1 (831) 230-8743

How Google Actually Communicates

If there is a real issue with your Google Business Profile, here is how you will know:

  • Email only from noreply-business@google.com
  • A notification in the Google Business Profile app or the web dashboard at business.google.com
  • A postcard in the mail for address verification (very rare)

Google will NEVER:

  • Call your business phone
  • Send you a text message about your listing
  • Ask for payment over the phone
  • Ask for your password
  • Threaten to remove your listing unless you act in the next 5 minutes

If in doubt, log in to your Google Business Profile directly at business.google.com. If there is no alert there, the call was a scam.

Quick Reference — Save This

If you get a call claiming to be from Google:

  1. Hang up. Do not press anything.
  2. Block the number.
  3. If you are worried it might be real, check business.google.com directly.
  4. Forward the number to us: +1 (831) 230-8743

Google does not call. Ever.

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