A Google Business Profile is a valuable tool for businesses to stay connected to customers, but as with all popular tools, scammers see an opportunity. Make sure you are prepared by using these tips to protect your Google Business Profile.
By Better Business Bureau Serving Greater Cleveland
This new scam is targeting companies’ Google Business Profiles. Though claiming your Google Profile is not required for your business, it does offer benefits by letting you take control of your business profile, manage your Google Reviews and Google Maps, edit your profile, and update business information, such as an address, phone number, and operating hours, as well as edit your profile.
In this new scheme, scammers click the “Own this business?” link (typically in the right sidebar after searching for your business in Google), which sends a request email to the current owner. If you or someone in your company approves this request, thinking it is legitimate, the scammer can take over your profile. They will likely change the name of your business and lock you out of the account.
Scammers then use this new business profile, with all of your reviews, to fool consumers into contacting them. If your business profile is stolen, you’ll need to go through a process with Google support to reclaim your profile. In the meantime, your profile may have received bad reviews or been altered by scammers.
BBB has also learned of several phishing attempts that are trying to engage business owners by sending messages to your Google Business Profile page. They may ask questions about your services, estimates, etc. They often don’t have anything to do with your business and when you respond with the correct information, the “customer” stays on their original line of questioning.
Scammers send hundreds, if not thousands, of the same question hoping someone will bite. This phishing technique often pays off, since scammers only need a few bites for their plan to work. It’s important in situations like these to take a moment before you respond. Scammers are trying to get you to act quickly without thinking.
Your Google Business Profile is another valuable tool for businesses to stay connected to customers, but as with all popular tools, scammers see an opportunity. Make sure you are prepared by using these tips to protect your Google Business Profile:
● Be skeptical of messages. Strangers on the internet can pretend to be anyone. Question motives behind both solicited and unsolicited messages.
● Reject suspicious ownership requests. Stop scammers in their tracks by rejecting unauthorized attempts to claim your business profile immediately. If you aren’t sure if a member of your staff is behind the request, find out before you accept it.
● Check your email and any alerts you receive from Google in a timely fashion. Scammers are counting on you not noticing strange activity on your profile. When initially verifying your account, be sure to use an email that you check regularly.
● Guard personal information and photos. Scammers may try to solicit personal information through methods such as cold calls, text messages, or emails. Be mindful of this, and always verify, when possible, the organization or individual you are speaking to through a third-party or video conferencing software. Also, remember that any photo your company uploads on social media can be stolen and used by a scammer.
● Contact Google support if your account gets hijacked. Regain control of your stolen account through Google’s support team. Fill out this form on Google to start the reclaiming process.
● Always report fraudulent activity. Report any problems to Google immediately. You can also report your experience at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
Learn more about scams targeting small businesses. For additional tips and resources, visit BBB.org to help keep your small business thriving. Contact your Better Business Bureau by calling 216.241.7678 or emailing info@cleveland.bbb.org. Interested in becoming BBB Accredited? Find out how you can apply for BBB Accreditation.
