10,000 lies and a lawsuit—Google takes action against scammers
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In the vast expanse of the internet, Google Maps stands as a beacon of direction, guiding us to our desired destinations with the promise of local businesses ready to serve our needs.
But what happens when that trust is compromised by a network of scammers, turning our search for service into a potential pitfall?
This is the reality that Google has recently confronted head-on.
Imagine you're in a pinch—you've locked yourself out of your car, or maybe you need a tow.
You pull out your phone, type a quick search into Google Maps, and relief washes over you as you find a service nearby.
But that relief could be short-lived if you've stumbled upon one of the 10,000 fake listings recently identified by Google.
These listings are not just harmless pranks. Rather, they're part of a calculated scam operation.
Google's legal team, led by general counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado, has taken a stand by filing a lawsuit against the individuals believed to be orchestrating this elaborate fraud.
The discovery of these fake listings began with a single alert from a Texas business and quickly unraveled into a web of deceit affecting countless users. The lawsuit claims that a man working within a bigger network created and sold fake business profiles on Google Maps.
According to Google, the claim prompted an investigation that resulted in the removal of over 10,000 fraudulent listings. These scams included completely fake businesses as well as legitimate accounts that had been hacked or taken over.
"Once we're alerted to the actual fraud, we take extreme efforts to identify similar fraudulent listings," said Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google's general counsel, during an appearance on "CBS Mornings Plus" on Wednesday.
The scammers' methods are as cunning as they are damaging. They employ a “bait and switch” tactic, where you think you're contacting a licensed professional, but instead, you're lured into a trap set by a fake listing.
In other cases, calls to legitimate businesses are intercepted and rerouted to the scammers via “lead generation service”, who then pose as the real deal.
Once they've got you on the line, the scam unfolds. The service arrives, and suddenly, the price skyrockets beyond the original quote.
Given that these scams often target “duress verticals,” or services needed in urgent situations, the customer is left vulnerable and more likely to acquiesce to the inflated demands.
You might be interested: New warning for email users: The scam that tricks you into handing over control
Google's investigation revealed that these alleged scammers are not acting alone. Instead, they operate in coordination with agents worldwide, using social media platforms to expand their reach.
One example cited in the lawsuit details how an alleged scammer promoted “5-star reviews” in multiple Facebook groups, claiming they could bypass Google's guidelines.
The key to protecting yourself is vigilance. If something feels off, trust your instincts and pause. "Pause, take a moment," advises Prado.
Verify the legitimacy of the company by checking their URL and phone number. Be wary of businesses asking for excessive personal information or unconventional payment methods, such as gift cards or wire transfers.
Source: @rankingacademy / Youtube.
Google is not taking this issue lightly. Prohibited fake business listings are a serious breach of trust, and Google employs a combination of automated systems and human analysts to detect and eliminate fraud on its platform.
"Online business profiles are incredibly valuable to businesses, as well as consumers," DeLaine Prado said. "Small and medium businesses use those listings for 'word of mouth,' discoverability."
The company's lawsuit also highlights the sale of fraudulent positive reviews, which can bury genuine negative feedback and mislead consumers.
In 2023 alone, Google removed or blocked around 12 million fake business profiles, a significant increase from the previous year. This ongoing effort underscores the tech giant's commitment to maintaining the integrity of its services.
Google plans to donate any damages won to organizations dedicated to combating scams, reinforcing its dedication to creating a safer online environment for all users.
Also read: Alert: The $2,000 Google Maps scam putting your home at risk
Have you encountered a fake listing or been targeted by a scammer? How do you ensure the businesses you contact are legitimate? Your insights could help others in our community stay one step ahead of these digital predators, so share them in the comments below!
But what happens when that trust is compromised by a network of scammers, turning our search for service into a potential pitfall?
This is the reality that Google has recently confronted head-on.
Imagine you're in a pinch—you've locked yourself out of your car, or maybe you need a tow.
You pull out your phone, type a quick search into Google Maps, and relief washes over you as you find a service nearby.
But that relief could be short-lived if you've stumbled upon one of the 10,000 fake listings recently identified by Google.
These listings are not just harmless pranks. Rather, they're part of a calculated scam operation.
Google has identified and eliminated over 10,000 illegitimate listings on Google Maps, including fake businesses and hijacked accounts. Image source: Henry Perks / Unsplash.
Google's legal team, led by general counsel Halimah DeLaine Prado, has taken a stand by filing a lawsuit against the individuals believed to be orchestrating this elaborate fraud.
The discovery of these fake listings began with a single alert from a Texas business and quickly unraveled into a web of deceit affecting countless users. The lawsuit claims that a man working within a bigger network created and sold fake business profiles on Google Maps.
According to Google, the claim prompted an investigation that resulted in the removal of over 10,000 fraudulent listings. These scams included completely fake businesses as well as legitimate accounts that had been hacked or taken over.
"Once we're alerted to the actual fraud, we take extreme efforts to identify similar fraudulent listings," said Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google's general counsel, during an appearance on "CBS Mornings Plus" on Wednesday.
The scammers' methods are as cunning as they are damaging. They employ a “bait and switch” tactic, where you think you're contacting a licensed professional, but instead, you're lured into a trap set by a fake listing.
In other cases, calls to legitimate businesses are intercepted and rerouted to the scammers via “lead generation service”, who then pose as the real deal.
Once they've got you on the line, the scam unfolds. The service arrives, and suddenly, the price skyrockets beyond the original quote.
Given that these scams often target “duress verticals,” or services needed in urgent situations, the customer is left vulnerable and more likely to acquiesce to the inflated demands.
You might be interested: New warning for email users: The scam that tricks you into handing over control
Google's investigation revealed that these alleged scammers are not acting alone. Instead, they operate in coordination with agents worldwide, using social media platforms to expand their reach.
One example cited in the lawsuit details how an alleged scammer promoted “5-star reviews” in multiple Facebook groups, claiming they could bypass Google's guidelines.
The key to protecting yourself is vigilance. If something feels off, trust your instincts and pause. "Pause, take a moment," advises Prado.
Verify the legitimacy of the company by checking their URL and phone number. Be wary of businesses asking for excessive personal information or unconventional payment methods, such as gift cards or wire transfers.
Source: @rankingacademy / Youtube.
Google is not taking this issue lightly. Prohibited fake business listings are a serious breach of trust, and Google employs a combination of automated systems and human analysts to detect and eliminate fraud on its platform.
"Online business profiles are incredibly valuable to businesses, as well as consumers," DeLaine Prado said. "Small and medium businesses use those listings for 'word of mouth,' discoverability."
The company's lawsuit also highlights the sale of fraudulent positive reviews, which can bury genuine negative feedback and mislead consumers.
In 2023 alone, Google removed or blocked around 12 million fake business profiles, a significant increase from the previous year. This ongoing effort underscores the tech giant's commitment to maintaining the integrity of its services.
Google plans to donate any damages won to organizations dedicated to combating scams, reinforcing its dedication to creating a safer online environment for all users.
Also read: Alert: The $2,000 Google Maps scam putting your home at risk
Have you encountered a fake listing or been targeted by a scammer? How do you ensure the businesses you contact are legitimate? Your insights could help others in our community stay one step ahead of these digital predators, so share them in the comments below!
