Are You Serious Clark?
We receive the same bogus scam calls that you do. “You have been qualified for a $500,000 business loan” or “Wait, before you do anything, listen to this fleeting opportunity.” Well now, the new scam is “Hello this is Google+ support calling about your incorrect listing on Google. Would you like to fix it?”
How rude! Are you telling me a Google partner such as WebMarkets has an incorrect Google listing? Well, no is the answer. These telemarketers call any number they can find and pitch them with the same exact script. Our fun in the office, is to play along and mess with them. However, this SCAM tactic actually works on a lot of business owners and management. What ends up happening? You pay a lot of money for work that doesn’t need to be done or work that is already done.
Having your business information correct on Google is essential for driving people to your local business or your website, so when you receive an automated call that mentions “important information for the business owner regarding your Google Listing” and asks you to press a number to update your information or fix a problem with your listing, it’s tempting to press a number and receive help. Scammers often to pretend they are calling from Google, or associated with the company in some way, since people trust Google, however, this is a scam.
When you are setting up your Google Maps listing, you will receive a PIN number from Google. You’ll immediately receive an automated call, where you will receive your pin for verification. Other than this verification call, Google never makes robocalls, nor will they have a third-party call you using an automated system.
Can You Hear Me Now?
Robocall scams are rampant, even though they are illegal. If you speak to a representative, they will attempt to sell you search engine optimization services or threaten you with being removed from Google entirely because your account information is not correct. This is deceitful; Google does not audit each business listing to verify that the information is still correct, nor do they make courtesy calls.
Business owners report receiving numerous calls, which tie up their business line and waste their time. Pressing a button during the call to place your number on a Do Not Call List usually results in even more calls since now you have confirmed that they have reached a working number. If scammers persist, hang up, block the phone number or formally complain to the Federal Trade Commission at www.donotcall.gov. You can also fight back by wasting the scammer’s time, just as they are wasting yours.
Fighting The Good Fight
Google is fighting back as well; they have filed a lawsuit again a California SEO company, which they claim is responsible for a large number of these calls. Remember, unless you specifically request a call from Google, they do not call business owners, nor do they charge for a Google listing.