In 2020, 56 million US residents lost money to phone scams, a 30% jump from the year before. Small businesses, like vet clinics, are now prime targets for these phone scammers. They pose as Google, claiming issues with your business listing to scam money from business owners.
If you run a small business, knowing the difference between real Google calls and scams is key. Learning scam signs and protecting your online space can keep your business safe. This way, you can focus on work without interruptions.
Key Takeaways
- Google only contacts business owners through the official business.google.com website, never via unsolicited phone calls.
- Scammers might threaten to remove your Google listing or say you need to pay for better search rankings. But these claims are false and won’t improve your rankings.
- Hang up on robocalls without pressing any numbers. This can stop more unwanted calls.
- Claim and verify your Google My Business listing to keep your online info safe.
- Report suspicious calls to the Federal Trade Commission and Google. This helps stop scams from targeting other small businesses.
What Are Real Google My Business Listing Calls?
The internet is full of scams and telemarketing schemes targeting small businesses. It’s key to know the real reasons Google might call about your google my business listing. Google makes real calls for a few main reasons.
Business Listing Phone Verification
Google often calls to check your google business profile or google business listing by phone. They give you a code to enter online. This completes the verification of your google business account.
Non-Sales Tasks
Google might also call to check your business hours or if you take reservations. These calls help Google keep your google my business listing accurate and current.
Customer Service & Account Support
Google may also call about a customer service or account support issue you’ve reported. These calls are from Google, and the person will say so.
Real google my business support calls and google my business verification requests don’t ask for money or try to sell you things. If a call doesn’t fit these reasons, it’s probably a scam.
Identifying the Google My Business Call Scam
The world of google my business scam, google business listing scam, google business profile scam, google business spam calls, and google phone scam is a real problem. Scammers target small business owners with fake calls claiming to be from Google. They aim to trick you by using the Google name, then try to sell you services or threaten to remove your listing if you don’t pay.
It’s important to know how to spot these google my business scam calls to protect your business. Here are some key signs to watch out for:
- The caller claims to be from Google or a Google partner, but cannot provide verifiable information or a legitimate Google employee ID.
- They try to pressure you into paying for services or upgrades, often using scare tactics like threatening to remove your Google Business Profile listing.
- The caller requests sensitive information like login credentials, credit card numbers, or other personal data.
- The call comes from an unfamiliar phone number, often a local area code, instead of a known Google support line.
Remember, Google does not make unsolicited sales calls from an automated system. Legitimate calls from Google might be about verifying business details, making reservations, or providing customer support for Google Ads or other services. If you get a suspicious call, hang up without pressing any keys and report it to Google.
| Legitimate Google Calls | Fraudulent Google Calls |
|---|---|
|
|
By knowing these tactics and how to spot a google business listing scam, you can protect your business. Stay alert and report any suspicious calls to the right authorities.
“Hello, I’m calling on behalf of Google.”
Scammers often claim to be calling from Google. They might say they can improve your search rankings or threaten to delete your google my business listing. But, these are tricks from third-party companies, not Google. Google will never call to sell services or warn about removing your listing.
Threatening to Remove Your Listing
Scammers use fear to get what they want. They might say they’ll delete your google business profile or google business listing unless you pay. This is a clear google business listing scam. Google offers google business services for free to help businesses reach customers.
If someone claiming to be from Google calls and threatens to remove your google business listing, stay calm. Don’t give out personal or financial details. These are google business spam calls and should be ignored.
“Google will never call to sell services or threaten to remove your listing.”
Business owners need to know about these scams. By recognizing the signs of a google business listing scam, you can protect your business. This way, you avoid falling into fraudulent traps.
How to Identify Fake Google Calls
In today’s world, it’s key to watch out for fake Google calls. These scams can be annoying and risky for your business online. Luckily, there are signs to spot fake calls and keep your Google My Business safe.
Google Employee Verification
First, ask a caller claiming to be from Google for an @google.com email. Real Google employees will share this info. They know how important trust is with their clients.
Google Never Asks for Personal Information
Google scams often ask for personal or financial info. Google never asks for this over the phone. If someone pushes for these details, it’s a scam.
Google Will Not Attempt to Sell Services
Real Google calls help with your Google My Business or other Google services. They won’t try to sell you things. Any sales pitch is likely a scam, as Google doesn’t sell through third parties.
Knowing these signs helps you spot google scam calls and identify fake google calls. It keeps your google my business and google business profile safe. Always check who’s calling and stay alert to avoid scams.
how to stop google business spam call
Getting calls from fake Google can upset business owners. These Google business spam calls are scams. They try to get your personal info or money. But, you can stop these calls.
Google doesn’t make unsolicited calls. They only call for things like checking your business info or setting up meetings. Google’s automated calls have specific numbers and are for businesses with public phone numbers.
If you get a fake Google call, just hang up. Don’t give them any info. You can also report it to the Federal Trade Commission and tell Google about it. This helps fight scams and keeps your business safe.
You can also sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry in the U.S. This cuts down on unwanted calls, including Google business spam calls. Your phone company might also block calls from bad numbers.
Google won’t threaten to delete your listing or ask for personal info over the phone. If you’re worried about your Google My Business listing, contact Google through official ways. Stay alert and take action to keep your business safe from scams and grow your online presence.
“Scammers are targeting small businesses, such as vet practices, with calls impersonating Google. The scam involves checking the status of a Google business listing and may threaten removal from Google Search and Maps.”
What to Do if You Receive a Scam Call
If you get a call that seems like a Google business scam, it’s key to act fast. The chance of it being a real call from Google is very low. This means most calls are likely scams trying to trick you.
Do Not Press Any Keys
The first thing to do is not to press any keys or share any info. This can lead to more trouble and even harm your finances or identity.
Report Suspicious Calls in the US
In the US, you can report suspicious calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can do this online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. This helps stop these scams.
Report the Call to Google
You should also tell Google about the scam call. Use their official complaint system. This helps Google fight these scams and keeps your business safe.
By taking these steps, you can protect your business from Google scam calls. This keeps your info and resources safe.
Contacting the Real Google
If you need to talk to Google about your business listing, there’s an official number. You can call Google My Business support at 1-844-491-9665. They’re available Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm EST. But, be prepared for a wait because Google gets a lot of calls every day.
Talking to a real Google person is the best way to fix problems with your Google My Business profile. They can help with things like verifying your business info, updating your listing, or solving any issues. Be careful of scam callers who pretend to be from Google. They might try to sell you things or get your personal info.
| Legitimate Google Calls | Scam Calls Pretending to be Google |
|---|---|
| Confirm general business information | Ask for payment or sensitive information |
| Assist with updating your Google My Business profile | Threaten to remove or downgrade your listing |
| Provide customer support for your Google account | Claim to be an agency “working with” Google |
Google won’t charge you to set up a My Business profile or affect your search rankings. If you get a suspicious call, don’t give out personal or financial info. Tell Google about it right away.
By reaching out to the real Google My Business support team, you can manage your business listing well. Avoid scams by being careful and checking if calls are real.
Conclusion
In today’s digital world, Google Business spam calls are a big problem for small business owners. Knowing the difference between real Google outreach and scams helps protect your online presence. Always be careful, check who calls from Google, and report any suspicious calls.
Many marketers see an increase in local spam, making it hard for businesses to rank well. Google has tools to fight this, but businesses need to report spam and suggest edits. This helps Google act faster to stop spam.
By taking steps to stop google business spam calls, protect google business listing, and prevent google business scam, you can keep your work environment positive. With help from experts like LocalBizGuru, you can fight spam and improve your Google My Business profile safely.
FAQ
What are the different types of legitimate calls a business owner may receive from Google?
Google might call a business owner for a few reasons. They might call to verify your business listing. They’ll ask for a code to finish the verification.
They might also check your business hours or if you have availability for reservations. Or, they could call to help with customer service or account support issues.
How can I identify a scam call claiming to be from Google?
Scam calls often claim to be from Google. They might say they’re calling on Google’s behalf. Or, they might promise to improve your search rankings for a fee.
They might also threaten to remove your Google Business listing unless you pay. Remember, Google will never make these calls.
What should I do if I receive a suspicious call claiming to be from Google?
If you get a suspicious call, hang up right away. Don’t give out any personal or financial info. Then, report the call to the Federal Trade Commission.
You should also tell Google about the call through their complaint system.
How can I verify if a caller is a legitimate Google employee?
Ask the caller for an @google.com email address. Legit Google reps will share this info. Be cautious of any requests for personal or financial details.
Google will never ask for these over the phone.
What is the correct way to contact Google regarding my business listing?
To reach Google about your business listing, call their support team. The number is 1-844-491-9665. They’re available Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm EST.
There might be a wait, but talking to a real Google rep is best. They can help with any issues or concerns.
My name is Jakir, I am a content writer, content creator, I give business, sports, finance, trending news and I have 10 years of experience in this and this is my blog goldennews24.com.
