Google SPAM Call
Google (posers) spamming you with calls? We can tell you how to opt out of them.
Have you reached for your phone, breaking your focus, only to find it is someone claiming to be with Google and saying 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 work with Google or to be Google itself (this is key, so pay attention to their wording). They are back at it again, which means you may be fielding phone calls from them claiming they can manage your Google Business listing, help with your Google Ads, update your Google Play 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 actual people or pre-recorded robocalls that falsely claim to work with or for Google. Google is working to shut those companies down. You can help them do this by filing a complaint with Google.
Have Questions?
Not sure if that Google call was real? Ask us!
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 that 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, it comes from a designated series of numbers, such as 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 their Google Ads account, but the callers are not acting in their best interests. Be cautious with any of these calls; request the caller to 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 not normally provide.)
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 illegally use its name.
- 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 the 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.
FAQs
Yes, but rarely and only for very specific reasons — such as confirming store hours, wait times, or verifying a Google Business listing. Google will never call you to solicit advertising services, offer to manage your business profile, or ask for payment information. If the caller is offering to help with your Google Ads or remove negative reviews, it is not Google.
Your phone number is publicly listed on your website and your Google Business Profile — which is exactly where it should be so customers can reach you. Unfortunately, that same visibility makes it easy for spammers and robocall operations to harvest your number. Being findable is worth the occasional spam call; the key is knowing how to handle them.
Google uses a limited set of verified number prefixes for outbound calls. In the United States, known Google calling numbers include (650) 206-5555, (650) 763-0461, and (844) 899-8101. Most Google calls are automated and will state the reason for the call at the beginning. If asked to press a number or speak with someone about upgrading your account, hang up.
You can report fraudulent calls to the FTC at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. You can also file a complaint directly with Google through their Google My Business Support complaint form. Include the caller's company name and contact information, any follow-up emails you received, and any other details about the call.
Claim and verify your Google Business Profile directly through Google if you haven't already — an unverified listing is much easier for fraudsters to manipulate. Work with your marketing agency to manage any changes to your profile, and never grant access to anyone who contacts you unsolicited. If a caller claims your listing has a problem, hang up and check your Google Business dashboard directly.
Getting calls claiming to be from Google? Don't fall for it — get help from a trusted source
SWS helps small business owners protect and manage their Google Business Profiles the right way — no spam calls, no inflated promises, no damage to your online reputation. If you’re unsure whether a call about your Google listing is legitimate, contact Simply Web Services before you respond.