As a business owner, you may have already heard of Google My Business (GMB), recently updated as Google My Profile, a free tool provided by Google to help businesses manage their online presence. However, with the increasing popularity of GMB, scammers are taking advantage and using fraudulent tactics to gain access to businesses’ profiles. In this post, we’ll discuss some common GMB frauds and how you can protect your business from them.
One of the most common GMB frauds is the “verification” scam. Scammers will contact businesses claiming to be Google representatives and ask for verification of their GMB listing. They may also claim that the business needs to pay a fee for verification. In reality, Google never charges for verification and does not reach out to businesses for verification.
- Fraud Scenario 1 – Verification Scamming:
How to Protect Your Business?
To protect your business from this scam, never provide personal or financial information to anyone claiming to be a Google representative. Instead, verify your GMB listing through the official Google My Business website.
- Fraud Scenario 2 – Location Scamming:
Another GMB fraud is the “location” scam. Scammers will create fake GMB listings for businesses that do not have a physical location, such as online stores or service providers. They will then use these listings to promote their own products or services, redirect customers to their own websites, or even steal the businesses’ leads.
How to Protect Your Business?
To protect your business from this scam, regularly monitor your GMB listing and report any unauthorized changes or listings to Google.
- Fraud Scenario 3 – Review Scamming:
Lastly, scammers may use GMB to post fake reviews for businesses. They may either post positive reviews for their own business or negative reviews for their competitors’ businesses. This can have a significant impact on a business’s reputation and search rankings.
How to Protect Your Business?
To protect your business from this scam, regularly monitor your GMB reviews and report any fake or inappropriate reviews to Google.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, GMB is a valuable tool for businesses to manage their online presence, but it’s important to be aware of potential frauds and take steps to protect your business. By following these tips and staying vigilant, you can ensure that your GMB listing accurately represents your business and attracts genuine customers.
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I am Prakash, an entrepreneur, a skilled digital marketing consultant, a trainer, and a speaker.
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