Google (posers) spamming you with calls?  We can tell you how to opt out of them.

Have you reached to answer your phone, breaking your focus, to find that it is someone saying they are with Google and they can help you with your Google Business Profile?

No one should reach out to you from Google other than to confirm store hours and wait times – they will NEVER solicit you to manage your business listing, manage your Google ads, or really anything Google-related.  Google doesn’t call unless you ask them to, such as to verify your Google Business Listing.  

In phases, spammers or unscrupulous companies will call pretending to be working with Google or actually Google themselves (this is key so pay attention to their wording).  They are currently back at it again, which means you may be fielding phone calls from them stating they can manage your Google Business listing, and help with your Google Ads, Google Play needs an updated credit card or remove negative reviews from your Business Listing.  In the short term, you may see progress on the business side but in the long run, they will do more damage than good while laughing all the way to the bank.

There are many unscrupulous companies that make fraudulent or misleading phone calls, they can be an actual person or pre-recorded robocalls that falsely claim to work with Google or for Google.  Google is working to shut those companies down, you are able to help them do this by filing a complaint with Google. 

Here is a list of some Google scams:

• Google Lotto Scam
• Gmail Tech Support Scam
• Vehicle Purchase Scam
• Google AdWords Impersonation Scam
• Google Job Offer Scam
• Google Account Recovery Scam via SMS Messages
• Google Top Placement/SEO Scam
• Google Maps/SEO Fake Invoices
• Google Telemarketing Calls
• Gmail Update Phishing
• Google AdSense Scam
• Tax Payment Scam
• Blackmail & Extortion

How did they get my phone number?

Awesome!  Your marketing efforts are working!  Your phone number is on your website and in your Google Business Profile.  Your email may also be on our website (why we recommend NOT placing your email address on the site but that is a topic for another day).  Being visible comes with a price, not only can your customers find you but so can the spammers and other unscrupulous people.

How to recognize an actual Google Call

Google has announced they have specific prefixes they call from and are aggressively working to stop spammers. Most of their calls are automated, providing codes or confirming hours.

To recognize a Google verified call, they come from a designated series of numbers similar to 650-203-0000.  They will give you the reason for the call at the start of the call, most times it will be from their automated system and very occasionally a manual operator. 

In the United States you can expect numbers like these:

• (650) 206-5555
• (650) 763-0461
• (844) 899-8101

Sometimes clients may receive calls about your Google Ads account, they are not looking out for your best interest.  Be cautious with any of these calls, request the caller email you. If you receive an email it should be an email address that contains @google.com.   Google doesn’t send unsolicited messages requesting passwords or other sensitive information – that is phishing.  (There are businesses and hackers that pretend to be Google to trick people into providing information they may normally not).

What can you do?

• Report Robocalls and Fake Google Calls to the FTC or call 1-888-382-1222
• Block the numbers or use a block app
• Add your mobile number to the Do Not Call Registry – National Do Not Call Registry 
• Report Fraudulent activity to Google – Google My Business Support has a complaint form.  Google is taking the fraud seriously and is taking legal action against marketing firms that use their name illegally.  
• Recommend they call your marketing agency and let them handle it for you.

What to include in the complaint form:

• The caller’s company and contact information.
• Any emails or documentation received from the caller as part of a follow-up.
• Any additional information about the call?

To stop fake Google listing calls:

• Education is the biggest defense, knowing which Google calls are legitimate
• Report unwanted scam calls to Google and block what numbers you can.  it won’t stop them all but it will slow them down.
• Claim and verify your Google listing, it will go a long way to helping keep your company name safe.

As spammers become more sophisticated Google will continue to try to stop them.  Sometimes we need to help them counter the unscrupulous.  

If you need assistance with any of your Google products don’t hesitate to give us a call.