In the digital age, as businesses rely more and more on online presence, a new scam has emerged: fake calls claiming to be on behalf of Google. The goal of these calls is to deceive unsuspecting business owners into disclosing sensitive information or paying for supposedly paid services.

The scam: pressure and deception

Scammers often contact companies under the pretense that the free trial period of their Google Business listing has expired and that costs will now be incurred. The callers pretend to be Google employees and claim that the switch to a paid service is stipulated in the terms and conditions. Many recipients of such calls are surprised and unsettled because they cannot remember any test phase. This is where the fraudsters' tactics come in: They use the confusion and uncertainty of those they call to put them under pressure.

Identification features and protective measures

It's important to know that Google never makes unsolicited calls to request payment information or request payment for services. Some warning signs of such scam calls are

  • Unsolicited calls demanding immediate payments.
  • Pressure to reveal personal or financial information.
  • Threat of negative consequences for non-payment.

What to do if you suspect?

If you receive such a call, it is advisable to hang up immediately and not to reveal any personal information. Report the incident through your country's official fraud prevention channels. This not only protects yourself, but also others who could become victims of such calls in the future.

Questions and answers about dubious calls from “Google”:

Question 1: What should I do if I receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be a Google employee?
Answer 1: Hang up immediately and report the call to the relevant fraud authority in your country.

Question 2: How can I be sure that a call really comes from Google?
Answer 2: Google will never call you to ask for personal or payment information. If you are unsure, contact Google Support directly via the official website.

Question 3: What are the most common characteristics of a scam call?
Answer 3: Typical characteristics include applying pressure, demanding immediate payment and feigning urgency.

Question 4: How can I protect my business from such scams?
Answer 4: Inform your employees about these fraud methods and create clear protocols for dealing with suspicious calls.

Question 5: Where can I report an attempted fraud?
Answer 5: Use the reporting form on your country's anti-fraud website or directly on the Google website under "Security".

Conclusion

The danger of fake calls impersonating Google employees is real and should not be underestimated. It is important that businesses and individuals remain vigilant, recognize the signs of such scams, and take appropriate reporting and prevention measures. Stay informed and actively protect yourself from such attacks. Report suspicious activity and take advantage of educational opportunities such as online lectures and workshops to expand your cybersecurity knowledge.

Source: watchlist-internet

For more information and tips on how to spot misinformation or fake calls, subscribe to our newsletter and sign up for our online lectures to stay up to date.

Also read:


If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:

📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.

Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!

* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!


Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )