Scams to Watch Out For

The Golden Rule

Google never calls you. Hang up.

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

Slate handles Google for you. If there is ever a real problem, we take care of it. Forward anything suspicious to us and we will tell you if it is real.

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.

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

Quick Reference: Save This

If you get a call claiming to be from Google:

Hang up. Do not press any key. Not 0 to talk to an agent, not 9 to opt out. Pressing a key means 10x more scam calls.
Do not call the number back and do not pay anything. Never give your password or a Google verification code.
Block the number.
Not sure it is real? Check business.google.com directly, or forward the number to us: +1 (831) 230-8743

Google does not call. Ever.