Can scammers create a fake Google Maps listing to intercept customers?
Yes. Fraudulent Google Business Profile listings redirect customers to scammers posing as legitimate businesses.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Google Business Profile allows anyone to claim or create a listing, and scammers exploit this by creating fake listings for real businesses — particularly locksmiths, plumbers, and financial services — or by hijacking existing legitimate listings and changing the contact phone number. Customers searching for a service find what appears to be a genuine business, call the number, and are directed to a fraudster who either overcharges dramatically or collects payment for a service that is never performed. In the case of locksmiths and plumbers, this fraud frequently targets people in genuine emergencies. Always verify a business's phone number through its official website rather than relying solely on the number shown in Google Maps.
Common red flags
- Phone number in a Google Maps listing differs from the number on the business's official website
- Listing was recently created and has very few reviews
- Caller gives a very vague location and is evasive about their business address
- Price quoted over the phone is dramatically different from the final invoice
What to do now
- Verify business contact details through the company's official website, not only through Google Maps
- Report fraudulent listings through Google Maps using the 'Suggest an edit' function
- For emergency services, ask for a written quote before work begins
- Report to your trading standards or consumer protection authority
Frequently asked questions
Can legitimate businesses protect their Google Maps listing from being hijacked?
Yes. Business owners should claim and verify their Google Business Profile, enable ownership protection, and monitor their listing regularly for unauthorised changes to contact details.