Dating app users aren’t the only ones to face “catfishing.” Sadly, it’s far too easy to get duped online. While Google is putting the hammer down on fake Google Maps listings, it’s important to know how to suss out these scams for yourself.
Google Is Suing the Scammers Behind Fake Listings on Maps
This week,CBS News reportedthat Google has initiated a lawsuit against a scam network behind tens of thousands of fraudulent listings on its Maps app. The company launched its investigation after a Texas locksmith reported being impersonated by another entity on Google Maps, effectively stealing (and scamming) their customers.
The crime led Google to over 10,000 other illegitimate Maps listings, which the company shut down. These listings ranged from hijacked accounts to completely fake operations.
While it’s certainly a relief to know the app has undergone a cleanse, the sad reality is that scammers will keep scamming. The fact that thousands of fraudulent entities were able to stack up under Google’s nose is a reminder to stay vigilant when booking services online.
How to Spot Fake Businesses on Google Maps
There won’t always be one clear red flag for a fake business on Google Maps, but there are a few factors to consider when hiring a service through the app. While a mark in one category shouldn’t necessarily be a deal-breaker, marks in multiple categories are suspicious.
Type of Service
The locksmith that ignited Google’s latest crusade is a prime example of a common scam. CBS News claims that “duress verticals,” or services you need quickly in stressful or emergency scenarios, were where Google uncovered most of the fraudulent activity.
Some examples of duress vertical services are:
There are plenty of honest businesses in these fields; it’s just important to exercise caution when hiring within these more susceptible industries.
Business Website
A business typically lists a website in its Google Maps profile underOverview. If you don’t see one, check theAbouttab. If there’s a website provided, make sure it matches the name of the business. You can also look for misspellings in the URL, and check if the website is active.
That said, some legitimate businesses won’t have websites; instead, they might rely on word of mouth, including reviews on Google or Yelp.
Reviews are another way to assess a new service. Unfortunately, fake reviews are very much a thing, so a business with five stars isn’t necessarily legitimate. Similar toclocking fake reviews on Amazon, a few telltale signs of a fake Google Maps review include:
By themselves, these characteristics might not necessarily signal a scam, but if they are coupled with other factors, that’s a different story.
I like to crosscheck Google reviews with another source, such as Yelp.
How to Pay
One of the oldest tricks in the scam book is asking for money up front. If you’ve reached out to a service that requires you to pay in advance, you should at least check for these other red flags before going through with it. Another suspicious action is if a business asks for unconventional payments, such as wire transfers or gift cards.
Mobile payment services like Zelle or PayPal aren’t necessarily suspicious. Many legitimate vendors who used to be cash businesses use these apps.
In the meantime, Google is doing what it can to reestablish trust in the Maps ecosystem. It wasn’t long ago that the company was recovering frommalicious ads in Google’s search results. According to the representative who spoke to CBS News, Google has partnered with the cyber crime support networkScamSpotter.org, which is regularly updated with the latest scams to keep an eye on.
