How to Spot and Stop Google Business Profile Scams

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of your most valuable digital assets: it drives calls, brings in reviews and helps local customers find and trust your business.

But with visibility comes risk. Scammers know just how important your GBP is to your bottom line and they’re very ingenious when it comes to finding new ways to exploit it through Google listing scams and fraudulent schemes.

If someone is trying to scam you through your Google listing, it’s not because you did anything wrong… It’s because you’re visible and busy! Here’s how to spot the signs early and stop the damage before it starts.

Common Google Business Profile Scams (And Why They Work)

GBP scams can come through calls, emails, or even fake reviews. But they all follow the same formula: pressure, urgency and confusion. Here’s what to watch out for:

• Imposter phone calls: Someone calls pretending to be “Google support” or an “official partner,” claiming your business profile is at risk of removal, or that you owe money to stay listed.
• Fake verification scams: Shortly after verifying or reinstating your GBP, you get a call offering to “secure” your listing, for a fee.
• Review blackmail: A wave of fake 1-star reviews suddenly appears. Then someone contacts you demanding money to take them down, or flip them into 5-stars.

These Google listing scams work because they hit you when you’re overwhelmed: after a suspension, during a rush, or when your reputation is top of mind. The scammers speak with confidence, throw around technical jargon and try to spook you into paying for something you should never have to.

First Things First: Google Business Profile Is Always Free

Let’s be clear: Google will never charge you to access, update, or reinstate your business profile.

Yes, Google sells ads. But your GBP? In 2025, it’s still 100% free, as confirmed in Google’s official support documentation.

Here’s how to spot a legit call from a scam:

• Google rarely calls businesses, and when they do, it’s either in response to a support request you’ve submitted or as part of their Maps team’s internal cleanup efforts.
• Legitimate calls from Google come from a California area code (usually 650) and never ask for login credentials or payment over the phone.
• If a call starts with a foreign number or sounds rushed and threatening, hang up. You can always reach Google directly through your GBP dashboard.

Fake Review Extortion: A Growing Scam

One of the fastest-growing Google Business Profile scams involves fake reviews. Here’s how it plays out:

1. You get a bunch of vague, unrelated 1-star reviews.
2. The names and/or photos don’t match real customers.
3. Then comes a message offering to take them down, for a price.

We recently helped one of our clients fight back against a targeted fake review scam. Here’s exactly how it played out and what worked.

Case Study: Fighting Back Against a Review Extortion Scam

In June 2025, a pest-control client of ours saw their 5-star rating go down to 4.7 stars overnight. It all started with a random 1-star review.  Following Google’s best practice, they responded calmly, but then four more followed… none from real customers!

Soon after, the client got a WhatsApp message from a +92 number: “Pay $100 or 35 more 1-star reviews will go live.”

This was extortion, plain and simple.

Instead of panicking, they reached out to us. Our first advice: Don’t pay a dime and stop communicating with the scammer. From there, we acted quickly and thoroughly:

1. Flagged each review on Google Maps as fake engagement.
2. Opened a Google Business Profile support ticket, providing screenshots of both the reviews and the threatening text message.
3. Used Google’s Review Removal Dashboard to report each review individually.
4. The client took it upon themselves to file a police report—not required by Google, but a smart step for personal records.

The results? The reviews remained visible for about four days, but thanks to our persistent actions and open support tickets, Google removed the fraudulent reviews.

Scams like this are real, but so is the power of a smart, calm response. With the right tools (and the right team), your reputation can be defended.

If this happens to you:

• Flag each fake review directly in Google Maps or Search.
• Use the “Report a Review” tool in your GBP dashboard.
• Keep a record of dates, screenshots and reviewer names.
• If it escalates, contact Google support or your marketing team immediately.

What If Google Won’t Remove the Review?

Sometimes, a clearly fake or competitor-written review won’t meet Google’s removal criteria. 

When that happens, don’t ignore it! Instead, respond strategically.

Use it as an opportunity to publicly reinforce your reputation. A good response might look something like:

“Hi, we’re aware this review may be false or potentially from a competitor and have reported it. However, if you’re a real customer who had a negative experience, please reach out directly. We take pride in our service and would love the chance to make things right.”

Google might not remove it, but future customers will read your response. And that matters.

A Note About Third-Party Services

Some companies claim to be able to help with removing reviews, reinstating your Google Business Profile and more. While these services do exist, we want to be clear: at Olly Olly, we don’t partner with or endorse any of them.

If you’re considering hiring one, make sure you do your research. That includes looking for real reviews and feedback, not just the testimonials they highlight on their own site. Check for any history of scams or shady practices. Be cautious, especially if you found them by Googling “review removal service,” since those too can sometimes be scams in disguise.

Ultimately, it’s your decision. Just don’t rush into anything. A little extra time spent vetting could save you a lot of frustration and money!

5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Protect Your GBP

Unfortunately, these scams aren’t going away but a little preparation goes a long way.

Here’s what we recommend:

1. Never give out login credentials over the phone: Google will never ask for them.
2. Don’t pay for profile reinstatements: If someone demands payment to “unlock” or “secure” your GBP, it’s a scam.
3. Be cautious with suspicious reviews: Don’t engage right away. Take a minute to assess, then flag and report.
4. Verify everything: If someone says they’re with Google, ask for their email address or ticket number. No ID? No help.
5. Use alerts and monitoring tools: GBP offers notifications for changes to your listing. Tools like the Olly Olly app can help you track reviews, updates and more in real time.

Bonus tip: On mobile, Google now allows you to report a user, not just the review, making it easier to target repeat offenders. Just click on the reviewer’s name, then click the three dots next to it. You’ll see the option to “Report” appear. This feature isn’t available on desktop (yet).

What to Do If You’ve Already Been Scammed

If you’ve fallen victim to Google Business Profile scams, don’t panic. Here’s your immediate action plan:

• Contact your bank immediately if you’ve made any payments. Dispute the charges and explain that you were a victim of fraud.
• Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC actively tracks business-related scams and your report helps protect other companies.
• Document everything: Save all emails, text messages, phone records and screenshots related to the scam. This evidence will be crucial for your bank dispute and any legal action.
• Change your passwords if you shared any login credentials. Update your Google account password and enable two-factor authentication immediately.
• Contact Google directly through official channels to report the fraudulent activity and make sure your profile hasn’t been compromised.

How We Fight Evolving Google Business Profile Scams

We’ve seen these scams hit roofers, lawyers, dentists, landscapers and pest control businesses alike. No industry is immune. But every scam we’ve helped shut down had one thing in common: a business owner who didn’t ignore the signs.

At Olly Olly, we believe the best defense is knowledge + support. We help you:

• Flag and escalate suspicious activity to Google
• Navigate Google’s redressal process for fake reviews or bad actors
• Monitor your profile for unusual updates or unauthorized changes
• Build back trust and visibility with smart, consistent marketing

Frequently Asked Questions About Google Business Profile Scams

Does Google Charge for Business Profiles?

No, Google Business Profiles are completely free. Google will never charge you to create, update, or maintain your business listing. Any request for payment is a scam.

How Can I Tell if a Google Support Call Is Legitimate?

Google rarely calls businesses unsolicited. Legitimate calls come from California area codes (usually 650) and only occur after you’ve submitted a support request. They will never ask for passwords or payment over the phone.

What Should I Do if I Get Fake Negative Reviews?

Don’t engage with the fake reviews directly. Instead, flag each review through Google Maps or your GBP dashboard using the “Report a Review” tool. Keep screenshots and documentation of all suspicious activity.

Can Scammers Actually Remove My Google Business Profile?

No, scammers cannot remove legitimate business profiles. They have no direct or accessible tool to suspend a profile. The only way they can attempt to interfere is by submitting suggested edits through Google Search and Maps. Only Google can suspend a profile for policy violations, and they provide a clear appeals process through official channels.

How Do I Report Google Listing Scams to the Authorities?

Report scams to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You can also file complaints with your state’s attorney general office and the Better Business Bureau.

Need Help with a Scam or Suspicious Activity?

If something doesn’t feel right—a weird call, a sudden flood of reviews—you don’t have to figure it out alone.

We’ll help you sort fact from fraud, and if you’re not already working with us, we’ll show you how to protect your business going forward.

Your business deserves visibility, but not at the cost of your safety.

Protect Your Google Business Profile

Don’t let scammers harm your reputation or visibility. Learn how to spot fraud, flag suspicious activity, and keep your business safe.

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