In the ever-evolving landscape of phone scams, one particular scheme has emerged: the Google Verified Business Listing Scam. Scams like these have become all too common in our digitally-driven world, with fraudsters employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to prey on unsuspecting individuals. This particular scam leverages the trusted reputation of Google to trick business owners into believing their listings require urgent verification, using fear tactics to prompt immediate action. In this blog, we’ll delve into the details of this scam, highlighting its modus operandi and providing essential insights to help you recognize and avoid falling victim to such malicious schemes.
In this article, we cover:
- The details of the Google Verified Business Listing Scam
- Why the Google Verified Business Listing Scam is dangerous
- How to protect yourself from the Google Verified Business Listing Scam
The details of the Google Verified Business Listing Scam
The Google Verified Business Listing Scam preys on unsuspecting business owners by exploiting the trusted Google brand. Operating under the guise of urgency, the scam falsely claims that immediate action is needed to verify their Google Business Listings, threatening the disappearance of their businesses from Google search results if ignored. This manipulation creates a sense of urgency, putting victims at risk of unauthorized data access and financial exploitation. The scam uses various audio samples urging recipients to press one to verify their listing or risk being removed from Google’s search results. First detected in August of 2017, this scam has targeted business owners primarily in Texas, Georgia, California, Florida, and New York.
Actual Audio of the Google Verified Business Listing Scam
“This is Google verified, press one now so we can verify your business with Google. If you are the business owner, press one now. If your account is not verified, customers searching for your services on Google will not find your listing. Press one now to verify your listing, press two to be removed from this list.”
Alternative Audio Samples:
- https://media.youmail.com/mcs/glb/audio/s3huaHViXzAzNmRpcjpodWIyOTUzMjczOjE1MDE3MDQ5MzY4NzQzLZXPnE.gen.wav
- https://media.youmail.com/mcs/glb/audio/s3diZGlyX20yY2Rpcjp0b21jYXQzMTk3OjE2MDQ2NzkxNzc0OTAxCMtNKF.gen.wav
Top Locations:
Most Used Numbers:
Why the Google Verified Business Listing Scam is dangerous
The Google Verified Business Listing Scam poses significant risks to unsuspecting business owners and individuals alike. Beyond the immediate threat of financial exploitation, falling victim to this scam can result in unauthorized access to sensitive business data, potentially compromising the security and integrity of the affected businesses. In addition, the manipulation of urgency and fear tactics employed by fraudsters can lead to hasty decisions and increased vulnerability, exacerbating the impact of the scam on its victims. Additionally, the proliferation of such scams undermines trust in legitimate platforms like Google, eroding confidence in online services and perpetuating a climate of skepticism and uncertainty.
How to protect yourself from the Google Verified Business Listing Scam
To protect yourself against the Google Verified Business Listing Scam and similar fraudulent schemes, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from trusted entities like Google. Take proactive measures to verify the legitimacy of any requests for business listing verification, such as contacting Google directly through verified channels or consulting with trusted IT professionals for guidance. Additionally, consider implementing call blocking and screening solutions like YouMail, which can help identify and filter out known scam numbers, providing an added layer of defense against fraudulent activities. By staying informed, skeptical, and proactive, you can effectively mitigate the risks posed by the Google Verified Business Listing Scam and protect yourself and your business from falling victim to malicious schemes.
To protect yourself from the Google Verified Business Listing Scam, download YouMail today.
Find about more Robocall Scams at the YouMail Robocall Scam Guide.
