Member Avatar for JamieLynnSEO

My company has a PPC account with Google, naturally. We've been getting about 2 automated calls a day from Google inquiring about weather or not we would like our company to be listed in their directory.

I know this sounds silly, but my boss wants me to find out if this is necessary, and weather or not it can help or harm us in any way.

(I'm assuming it would be a good thing to be listed...BUT what do I know?)

Any suggestions, opinions or input would be great.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by pgmco

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Short answer: those “directory” robocalls are almost always a scam, not Google. Scammers fabricate urgency (your listing is “about to be removed”) and push callers to press a key, give account/payment details, or allow remote access. That pattern is well documented and Google has been actively fighting fake Maps/business-listing schemes. (blog.youmail.com)

How Google actually handles Business Profile issues: verification and alerts come through your Business Profile dashboard or by verified email/postcard (not by unsolicited payment-demanding robocall). Third parties that misrepresent themselves, repeatedly call, or demand money can be reported to Google using their Business Profile third‑party complaint form. If someone asks for a fee to “keep” your listing active, it’s a red flag—listing and verification via Google are free. See Google’s help and complaint form here: and . ()

If you (or your boss) already engaged with a caller: end any remote session immediately, uninstall any remote‑access program they installed, run a full malware scan, change passwords on affected accounts and enable 2‑factor authentication, and contact your bank if payment or card details were shared. Report the call to Google, to the FTC (ReportFraud.ftc.gov) and to IC3 if money was stolen. There are recent writeups and step‑by‑step remediation guides for these fake‑listing scams. (malwaretips.com)

Practical routine to follow (safe, quick):

  • Ask for a business email and company name (good advice, and ), but don’t treat that as proof.
  • Don’t call numbers they give you; instead log into business.google.com or contact Google support through the official help pages.
  • Block and report persistent numbers, and file a Google third‑party complaint if they claim to be affiliated with Google. This protects your business and helps Google act on the fraud. ()

Recommended Answers

All 5 Replies

Member Avatar for canadafred

I doubt these calls are originating from Google. Probably scammers.

Member Avatar for JamieLynnSEO

well we do get automated phone calls sometimes regarding our PPC account stats and all that, so i feel like it might be legit. idk

Member Avatar for sparketing

Next time they call, tell them that you are interested and ask them to send an email with their proposal, so that you can evaluate it. Either that, or just say NO!!.
And its "whether" , not "weather".

Member Avatar for JamieLynnSEO

Lol thank you for the grammar correction, sparketing. ^_^ Haha.

Member Avatar for pgmco

Ask for the persons email and phone # next time and you will know if it is legit.

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