You’ve probably, as have I, been receiving numerous phone calls claiming to be from Google stating that "Clients are having trouble finding your business and you need to immediately verify your Google listing", and at this point just want to yell into the phone "STOP CALLING ME!" These are not legitimate calls from Google and unfortunately there is very little you can do to stop it, because once you block that phone number they just call back with a different phone number. there are some recommendations below on how to reduce the calls, however. Here are some key points to be aware of regarding these Google listing scam calls:
**Unsolicited Calls:** Google does not make unsolicited calls about Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business listings). They will only contact you if you have specifically requested support .
**False Claims:** The callers often assert that your listing is incomplete, suspended, or needs verification. They then try to charge you for "fixing" your free listing .
**No Payment Requests:** Google will never ask for payment related to your Business Profile listing. Managing and claiming the listing is completely free .
**Scam Tactics:** Common scam tactics include robocalls, spoofed caller ID numbers, and false claims of being Google partners or affiliates .
**Scammers’ Intentions:** These scammers aim to get you to pay for services that Google provides for free or to gain access to your listing by tricking you into sharing login credentials .
The best action to take is to hang up on any unsolicited calls about your Google listing. Do not provide any payment or login information. Here is what the FCC suggests you to to help stop this practice.:
If you’ve lost money to a phone scam or have information about the company or scammer who called you, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you didn’t lose money and just want to report a call, use the streamlined reporting form at DoNotCall.gov.
Any information you provide will help stop the scammers. Report the number that received the call, the number on your caller ID, and any number they told you to call back. Also report the exact date and time of the call, if you know it. Knowing all this information helps the FTC and its law enforcement partners track down the scammers behind the call.
The FTC also takes the phone numbers you report and releases them to the public each business day. This helps phone carriers and other partners that are working on call-blocking and call-labeling solutions.
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