Google Maps is one of the highly popular services for getting information about local businesses and directions. Users have downloaded the Maps app over 10 billion times from Android’s Play Store. The service that has more than 2 billion monthly active users has recently become a target of fraudulent activities. Google has recently unearthed thousands of fake Maps listings and sued a network of scammers running these illegal activities.
Google sues scammers responsible for 10,000 fake Maps listings
A Texas-based locksmith informed Google that someone was impersonating them on the Google Maps service. Soon after, the company investigated the claim and filed a lawsuit against an alleged network of scammers. Google’s lawsuit, announced Wednesday, mentioned a man working within a wider network. The person created and sold fake business listings on Google Maps.
Furthermore, Google uncovered and eliminated more than 10,000 illegitimate listings on Google Maps. The scammers created outright fake businesses to replace legitimate accounts that they had hacked or hijacked.
“Once we receive alerts about the actual fraud, we make extreme efforts to identify similar fraudulent listings,” Halimah DeLaine Prado, Google’s general counsel, said on “CBS Mornings Plus” Wednesday.
What was the modus operandi of scammers?
DeLaine Prado also mentioned that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their fake Maps listing scams. He also shed some details regarding how the scammers operated. One of the main methods was the bait and switch. In this medium when someone searches for a local service, they don’t land on a legitimate listing. Instead, they fall for a fake one. Users typically search for these services, which mainly include locksmiths, plumbers, and roadside assistance, during urgent or stressful situations.
Furthermore, the scammers would intercept calls made to real business listings via “lead generation services” or directly through fake listings. Then, they would charge the unsuspecting victims higher prices for substandard or non-existing services beforehand.
Google’s preventive measures for fake Maps listings
It’s worth mentioning that Google has already taken action to combat this fraud previously. In 2023 alone, the company took down nearly 12 million fake business profiles. That year, the search titan used advanced machine learning algorithms to identify and remove fraud content on the Maps app. Google will also donate any damages awarded in the latest lawsuit to organizations fighting online scams.
How can you protect yourself from fake Maps listings?
While Google is doing everything possible to fight these scams, users can take proactive steps to avoid falling victim to fraud listings on Google Maps. You should always verify business details by checking the business’s website or contact information.
Furthermore, always read reviews carefully by looking for patterns in reviews, which are usually fake. If a local business Maps listing has a suspicious number of positive reviews, then you should think carefully before using their services.
