Is there any way to stop Google from calling my business? Except, that is not what is happening at all. A staggering 48% of all calls that individuals received in 2019 were classified as spam, according to the FCC. Unfortunately, it is clear that robocalls and phone scams are intensifying every day.
Every small business owner has dealt with the nuisance of fake calls from imposters claiming to be Google. These pesky phone spams can disrupt any business’s day-to-day operations and must be handled quickly and effectively.
If you’re already investing in SEO, chances are that you’ve received a few Google telemarketing calls as of late. These cold callers can easily attain your contact information through the use of Google My Business to list your business online. Don’t let yourself get snared by whatever scheme they might be pitching and look out for these types of robocalls!
But what measures must you take to achieve the desired outcome?
It is not in any way related to or affected by your search engine optimization provider, yet you can still take steps to put an end to Google telemarketing calls. Here’s how it’s done!
Why Does Google Call Businesses?
Google typically will not contact you without a prior request, most commonly with regards to verifying your Google My Business listing.
When you receive a call from Google, it’s generally to provide assistance with user-related services such as setting appointments or verifying business hours. In some cases, the phone call could be for customer service and support purposes, creating an advertisement, or accessing other accounts connected to your Google account.
If you’re ever in doubt, don’t worry: Google has got your back. All of their automated calls come with a designated series of numbers starting with 650-203-0000 – so if that’s what shows up on the caller ID, rest assured it is indeed verified by the internet giant itself!
Never forget, if Google verifies the information about your business it is only beneficial for you because when people search online they will get a precise and accurate representation of your company. This allows potential customers to find what they need in order to make an informed decision about doing business with you.
Things to Keep in Mind:
- Google will never proactively call you unless requested by you.
- Google does not use automated sales calls as part of its marketing strategy.
- Never will you receive a request from Google prompting you to update your information or granting access for someone else to do it on your behalf.
- Google ensures that getting your business listed on Google My Business is a free and easy process, with no cost or hassle involved in the setup or maintenance.
How to keep scammers from calling your business
Are you receiving multiple pesky calls about your Google business account or login? If so, it’s time to take action! The US Congress enacted the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in 1991 to curb telemarketing efforts and has since revised the act again in 20003 and 2012 – making TCPA consent laws against robocalls even more stringent.
By taking a few simple steps, you can substantially reduce the amount of these intrusive calls.
1. Report Robocalls and Fake Google Call to the FTC
If you are bombarded with unwanted calls, make sure to take action and file a complaint at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If you have a landline phone service or cellular phone number, you can easily register your number on donotcall.gov or dial 1-888-382-1222 for free! You can even report any personal phones that have been receiving these pesky calls. Don’t wait until it is too late – put an end to those annoying nuisance telephone calls now!
2. Block the numbers or use Blocking Apps
Do not let those pesky phone numbers get you down– take action! Many business phone services come with call blocking already installed, and if yours does not, your cellular provider can help to block any specific number.
T-Mobile is one provider that can detect any potential scam calls and label them with “Scam Likely” on the caller ID. Additionally, you can utilize apps to safeguard yourself from getting bombarded by phone spam too!
3. Add your mobile number to the Do Not Call Registry
Make sure you register your home, and cell phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry. While unlawful schemers may not value the lists, adding qualified telephone numbers should help decrease the amount of unwanted automated telephone calls you get.
To protect yourself from annoying telemarketers, register your phone number with the FTC National Do Not Call Registry. It can take up to a month for your number to be updated on that list, but once it is you’ll know you’re safe! If any unwanted Google callers manage to reach out after this period has ended, make sure to report them right away either online or by calling 888-382-1222 with their information – enough reports will help the FTC step in and put a stop to these calls for good.
4. Report Fraudulent Activity to Google
Google My Business Support has a complaint form which is ideal for reporting violations against their third-party policies.
How to Verify if the Call is From Google?
In cases of fraud, the caller will usually state they are associated “with Google” or use ambiguous terms like “Google specialist” or “calling on behalf of Google.” If you’re in doubt and want to make sure this person is actually affiliated with Google, simply ask them to send you a verification email from an @google.com account–if it’s really a reliable employee, then you should be receiving said email soon!
Is Google Doing Anything About the Robocalls?
Google takes its customers’ privacy and security seriously, and is dedicated to offering products and services that can benefit small business owners. In order to take a stand against Google listing robocalls or other forms of scam schemes related it, the tech giant has released details on the steps they will be taking in this regard:
- Suing robocall scammers
- Offering scam prevention education
- Asking customers to report the scam efforts
Suing Robocall Scammers
Google is taking legal action against Kydia Inc. (BeyondMenu), Point Break Media, LLC, and its affiliates, as well as Supreme Marketing Group Inc. (Small Business Solutions). This news was publicly declared in a blog post released in May 2018.
Those miscreants have been charged for “misleading small businesses with threats to remove their listings from Google Search and Maps and demands that they pay for unwanted search optimization services.”
Google has also announced that they are prepared to take legal action against all fraudsters who dare defraud them or their customers and is hoping this example will serve as a warning sign for others.
Educate against Scam Prevention
As a small business partner of Google’s Get Your Business Online program, you can request an insightful and informative presentation from the trusted Google team to educate yourself and your community on how to protect against scams and fraud. Make sure you apply for and fill out the Google Speaker Request Form.
Asking Customers to Report the Scam Efforts
Google has come up with a helpful tool that empowers business owners to report any scams and violations, including the Google listing scam robocall. By sharing this valuable data, you can assist Google and related authorities to detect the imposters and take legal measures against them.
Review Grower also provides with tools that help you stop negative and scammy reviews.
Google’s Stance on Fake Google Telemarketing Calls
To safeguard its name, Google is taking legal action against deceptive marketing firms and has already won settlements from eleven of them. The Pointbreak Media robocall scheme involved companies that misled small businesses by telling them their listings on Google Search and Maps would be eliminated or appear as closed unless they called back. On May 17, 2019 a federal judge officially approved these settlements to bring justice to those who were wrongfully targeted in the “Pointbreak Media Robocall Scheme”.
Conclusion
Knowledge is your most powerful resource when it comes to determining which Google contacts are genuine. If you have received any scam calls, be sure to report them to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) and Google right away – then add all of your personal numbers on the DNCR (Do Not Call Register) and block off whatever phone numbers you can. You won’t succeed in blocking every single robocaller but with these steps taken, there will surely be a dramatic decrease in unwarranted telephone conversations from people claiming falsely that they represent Google. The next step would be verifying your own claimed listing on Google; this may not get rid of the illegal automated calls altogether, but it’s worth giving a try! Hopefully, with these steps, you can stop ‘Google’ from calling your business.
Frequently asked questions
- How can I stop scammers pretending to be from Google from calling my business?
One way to stop scammers pretending to be from Google from calling your business is to simply hang up the phone when they call. If you are receiving a high volume of calls from these scammers, you can also try blocking the phone numbers they are using.
- Is it possible to report scammers pretending to be from Google to the authorities?
Yes, it is possible to report scammers pretending to be from Google to the authorities. You can report these types of scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or to your local law enforcement agency.
- What should I do if I receive a call from a scammer pretending to be from Google?
If you receive a call from a scammer pretending to be from Google, you should hang up the phone and not provide them with any personal or financial information. You should also be wary of any requests for payment or requests to log in to your account.
- Can scammers pretend to be from Google access my personal information or accounts?
It is possible that scammers pretending to be from Google could try to access your personal information or accounts if you provide them with login credentials or other sensitive information. It is important to protect your personal and financial information and to be cautious when providing it to anyone online or over the phone.
- What should I do if I have already provided personal or financial information to a scammer pretending to be from Google?
If you have already provided personal or financial information to a scammer pretending to be from Google, you should immediately change your passwords and contact your bank or credit card company to report the issue. You should also consider freezing your credit or taking other steps to protect your personal information.
- Can Google help me if I have been a victim of a scam?
Google may be able to help you if you have been a victim of a scam, although it is important to note that Google is not responsible for any losses you may have incurred as a result of the scam. You can contact Google directly to report the issue and to seek assistance in recovering any lost funds or personal information.
- How can I protect my business from scammers pretending to be from Google?
There are several steps you can take to protect your business from scammers pretending to be from Google:
- Train your employees to be aware of these types of scams and to not provide personal or financial information to anyone over the phone or online.
- Use strong and unique passwords for all of your accounts and devices.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts to add an extra layer of security.
- Be cautious of any unsolicited emails or calls requesting login credentials or payment.
Review Grower helps your brand build your ideal reputation with his powerful features. Experience the magic in action by simply signing up for FREE, and witness its seamless operation in real-time. Not only that, but you also have the incredible opportunity to explore all the amazing features it offers for a generous 30-day period.
