Don’t Fall for "Google" Scams

The Google Business Listing Scam

While each scammer is unique, they all typically open with "I'm calling on behalf of Google" and then telling you that something is wrong with your Google listing. Usually something along the lines of:

• "Your website is not showing up on Google"
• "Your Google listing is not up to date"
• "Your listing is at risk of being removed"

The point of this phone call is for you to accept the help of the scammer in exchange for a fee. It might be $100, or $1,000.

Google will never ask for your payment information over the phone.

You may receive calls from Google operators for the purposes of customer service or support related to your Google Ads or other accounts but they will never make unsolicited sales calls and ask for your payment information over the phone.

If you‘re receiving suspicious calls, here’s what you can do

• Report the calls. Submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission at www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. You can also submit a complaint to the Federal Communications Commission
• Just hang up. If you receive a call from someone who claims to be Google, don't press any key (even to be taken off the call list) because it may lead to more unwanted calls.
• Help Google track down scammers. Submit a form with information about the call to Google here.

Use Tools from Your Carrier to Block Spam Calls

The major phone carriers have tools to identify and filter suspected spam calls. While caller ID services usually require an extra monthly fee, some carriers offer network-level blocking free of charge.

AT&T

AT&T users can download the free app AT&T Call Protect to automatically block suspected spam calls suspected spam warnings.

Verizon

Verizon has ways to help you block calls on your home phone on your home phone. If you are a Verizon Fios Digital Voice customer you can register with Nomorobo. For mobile users, Call Filter screens incoming calls, auto-blocks spam and reports any unwanted numbers.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile users will see "Caller Verified" when an incoming call has been verified as authentic by the network. This means that the phone number has not been spoofed.

T-Mobile also offers Scam ID, which identifies spam numbers when your phone rings, and Scam Block, which gives you an option to block those numbers. To turn this on, dial #662# on your T-Mobile phone. To turn it off, dial #632#.

Sprint

Sprint users can sign up for the Premium Caller ID service for $2.99/month to receive threat level indicators on incoming calls, but the service doesn't automatically block spam calls.

There are also mobile apps like RoboKiller that do the job.

Not sure if the call is a scam?

• Ask the caller to verify their identity. A Google employee should be able to send you a verification email from an @google.com account.
• Call Google directly at 1-844-491-9665 Monday thru Friday 9am-6pm EST to speak with an actual Google representative regarding your business listing.

Read more about known Google scams.