Google has announced a lawsuit against alleged scammers responsible for thousands of illegitimate listings, including fake businesses on its popular maps app. According to CBS News, a man working within a wider network sold fake business profiles.
It was first brought to Google’s attention by a locksmith in Texas who found an unlicensed locksmith impersonating them on Google Maps. After that, Google investigated further and found 10,000 illegitimate businesses, some of which were fake while others were legitimate accounts that had been hijacked.
The scammers behind these listings don’t work alone. They collaborate with others around the world and use social media to expand their reach. The listings can seem legitimate because they’re often filled with fake positive reviews.
The scam
Many of the scam listings tended to be for services people need in urgent situations, such as locksmiths or towing companies. Naturally, when someone needs such a service, they’ll search locally. Then, they either fall for a fake listing or call a real company number that has been intercepted and routed to call the scammers instead.
In the end, the consumer connects with a different person than they were expecting. After the scam service arrives at the victim’s home, they’ll demand a much higher price than originally quoted. Because the customer is under stress, they’re more likely to accept it.
Staying safe from scammers
Although fake listings are prohibited on Google Maps and the app is purported to have a range of tools to catch them, since they still slip through the cracks, users do need to be on the lookout for potential red flags, particularly if you’re ordering a service to your home.
Always verify a company’s legitimacy before committing to their services, ensuring the URL and phone numbers match the advertised business. Also, watch out for odd payment requests, such as through gift cards and wire transfers. And if they ask for private information that shouldn’t be required, like social security numbers or bank account numbers, don’t continue with the service.
Cora is a digital copywriter for SSLs.com. Having eight years of experience in online content creation, she is a versatile writer with an interest in a wide variety of topics, ranging from technology to marketing.