Someone claiming to be Google has been making threatening phone calls.
Updates to the getting calls demanding I update my Google listings.
These Google update calls never stop. I am now getting at least one call per day. They have gotten smarter by showing phone numbers that look legitimate, causing me to actually answer the phone. If I do not answer they leave long aggressive messages.
They claim to be working with and sometimes for Google. I have tried everything to get the calls to stop. I must be on the “Call this number, the idiot will answer” list they pass around to each other.
I am sure they are selling something to motivate them to keep calling. They must be successful capturing tons of profits by selling their stuff to others. They have to be calling others with the same demands and claims. Otherwise, the calls would most likely stop.
The callers DEMAND that I answer THEIR personal and direct questions first. Before they will reveal any facts about them, even after I try asking numerous times. So I just hang up, again and again.
Frankly, I have to believe Google has nothing to do with these calls. No doubt Google does not care enough about our small business to contact us so often and aggressively. And Google would certainly show a real Google phone number. Likewise I would hope Google would also be more open, more honest, and much less aggravating.
What does this have to do with life coaching? Very little. Except I must be concerned about Google rankings to improve the number of desirable people to find my website. And the callers prey on my concerns. I have no way to determine if these calls affect my Google rankings. So I just continue to ignore these calls.
This is what I wrote last year.
My business phone line has received 4 demanding phone calls for people and recordings claiming to be with Google.
Their demands and threats have escalated with each call. The third call was a voiced recording “Threatening to de-list my web site on Google” unless I comply with recorded instructions.
I operate at least 3 different web sites under 3 different business entities. None of the 4 calls identified the website to be de-listed by Google.
Is Google now resorting to monopolistic intimidation tactics to threaten and control web site publishers?
Or is this some elaborate SCAM being perpetrated using Google’s name? In light of the many SCAMS’ being pulled off in recent history, in many areas, I am very wary.
The first call was from a person who claimed to be from Google, whom I could not understand. I think he (or she) demanded I provide the physical address of our business.
I was concerned about the intentions and authenticity of the caller, I asked which State the caller wanted an address for? I was unable to understand the responses, and felt this person was questionable, so I hung up.
The second call came from a more aggressive female claiming to be with Google whom I could understand. She demanded the address for our website, and I asked which web site? She did not provide me with a website URL, but just re-demanded an address.
Because she would not answer my simple question, and because of her demeaning entitled tone, I did not give an address, and hung up.
The third very threatening recorded call disturbed me enough to write this blog. I got the phone number from my caller ID and it was 800-927-6152. I called this number and received a recording to press 1 for an agent, or 2 to be put on do not call. I entered 2.
I received the fourth call while writing this blog. It was also a recording. I confirmed that 503-457-1403 shown on my caller ID was a disconnected number. The recording claimed to be with Google Local Plus and that our website (no specific URL) was not listed and was missing local businesses.
The recording instructed me to press 1 to talk with a “Certified Marketing Specialist” who will get our website placed on the top pages of Google, Yahoo, and Bing, and tell me how I might qualify for a “custom web site.”
Ok, I think I get it. Scammers claiming to be with Google, or Google Plus using a fake disconnected phone number, will get my (Unknown) web site placed on the top pages of Google, Yahoo and Bing. Now they represent all 3-search engines. And to top it off I can even qualify for a brand new custom web site.
Conclusion: This is a SCAM.
I hope to have some fun with the next caller.
Over the past few years I have received dozens of calls from Google or those claiming to be them. This past fall I answered two calls with recorded message saying that my business would be “dropped from the internet” if I did not sign up with Google. I was so naive as to think this must be a scam from some other company. I called Google wanting to make them aware of this. During the call I was convinced to try “Google My Business” for a “free” two month trial and a $200 credit for something or other. I agreed, and was crazily rushed through the process of signing up online without any real understanding of what was really happening. The result was that I was signed up for “Google my business”, “Google AdWords” and “AdWords Express” and my credit card was charged $17+ ONE month later! I called and complained. I was told that the “credit” was exhausted and the $17 charge was for “clicks” that my business got from the web. I did make note of the few actual calls I received. I kept saying that I was told I had two months free trial, but they brushed that off. I said that I was not aware that I was being signed up for three services and did not understand why or what they were, but that was brushed off too. I canceled all business with Google on their website.
I complained to my credit card and the charge was removed. This all happened in Sept. Now I have received what I feel is a snarky, taunting email from Google that said “how did customers find you in October”?
I am the sole owner/operator of my tiny 28 year old business. I am 61 and not at all tech savvy. How can I fight Google? I feel my business is an ant being stomped on by God.
Guess what! As I am writing this I just got another threatening call from Google!!!!!! I haven’t had one of these since Sept.
There must be more of us getting our livelihoods being threatened like this.