Your phone buzzes. You look down. It’s a local number, or maybe it says "Google" right on the screen. You pick up, expecting a robot, but instead, you hear a person—or maybe a very sophisticated AI—asking to verify your holiday hours. You're skeptical. Honestly, you should be. We’ve been conditioned to think every single phone call from Google is a scam designed to hijack our Business Profile or sell us first-page SEO rankings that don't exist.
But here’s the thing: Google actually does call people.
It’s not always a scammer in a basement. Sometimes it’s Duplex, their automated calling service. Sometimes it’s a manual operator checking if you still offer curbside pickup. Distinguishing between a legitimate check-in and a predatory phishing attempt has become a genuine survival skill for small business owners and everyday users alike. If you hang up on the wrong one, your business might show as "Permanently Closed" to thousands of local customers. If you stay on the line with the wrong one, you might lose your password.
What a Real Phone Call From Google Actually Sounds Like
Google doesn't usually call to chat. They call because they have a massive data problem. With millions of businesses changing hours, moving locations, or closing down, their maps would be useless without constant verification.
When you get an official call, it’s often through Google Duplex. This is their AI-driven system that sounds incredibly human. It uses pauses like "um" and "ah" to make the conversation feel natural. Usually, the system will identify itself right at the start. It might say, "I'm calling from Google, and this call is being recorded to update Google Maps." If you hear that, it’s likely the real deal. They will ask specific, public-facing questions. Are you open on Labor Day? Do you take reservations? They will never ask for a credit card number or your password.
Sometimes, you’ll get a call from a real human operator. These folks are often third-party contractors working for Google. They follow a strict script. They aren't trying to sell you ads. If the person on the other end starts talking about "guaranteed placement" or asks for a "verification fee," hang up. Google doesn't charge for business listings. Ever.
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The "Verification" Trap and the Rise of Scammers
Scammers love the phrase "verification." It sounds official. It sounds urgent. Most predatory calls start with a pre-recorded voice warning you that your "Google listing is about to expire" or your "business won't show up in search results."
This is a lie.
Google Business Profiles don't "expire." You don't pay a subscription to stay on the map. These callers are trying to scare you into a high-pressure sales pitch for junk SEO services. Or worse, they want you to give them a verification code sent to your phone. If you give a stranger that code, they can take over your account, lock you out, and hold your digital reputation for ransom. It happens every day.
Spotting the Red Flags Fast
Look, Google is a tech giant, but they are surprisingly consistent with how they communicate. They don't use high-pressure sales tactics over the phone. If the caller says they can "guarantee" you'll be the number one result for "pizza in Chicago," they're lying. No one can guarantee that because the algorithm changes constantly.
Another big one? Money. Google will never ask for payment over the phone for your business profile. If there’s a billing issue with your Google Ads account, they’ll usually email you or show a notification inside the Ads dashboard. They aren't going to ask you to pay via a wire transfer or—God forbid—gift cards.
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The Mystery of the "Search Specialist"
You might get a call from someone claiming to be a "Google Search Specialist." This is a gray area. Google does have teams that reach out to help people optimize their Ads accounts. These are usually legitimate, but they are sales roles. Their job is to get you to spend more on advertising.
How do you know if they are real? Look at their email. A real Google employee will follow up with an email from an @https://www.google.com/search?q=google.com address. Not @gmail.com. Not @google-support-desk.net. If the email domain isn't exactly "https://www.google.com/search?q=google.com," treat them like a stranger offering you candy from a van.
Why Does Google Even Use AI to Call Me?
It’s about scale. Think about the sheer volume of restaurants in the world. Google can’t hire enough humans to call every cafe in Paris and Peoria to see if they’re open on Christmas Eve. So, they built Duplex.
When Duplex calls, it’s actually a win for you. It means Google is trying to make sure your customers have the right info. If you ignore these calls or block the numbers, you might find your "Hours of Operation" marked as "Unverified" on Search and Maps. That hurts your SEO way more than a 2-minute phone call.
Dealing With Persistent Robocalls
If you're being harassed by fake "Google" calls, reporting them is your best bet, though it feels like screaming into a void sometimes. You can use the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website or Google’s own "Report a Scam" tool.
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The most effective way to stop the noise is to use call-filtering tech. If you have a Pixel phone, the "Call Screen" feature is a godsend. It asks the caller to state their purpose before your phone even rings. Most scammers will just hang up the second they realize they're talking to another AI. It’s poetic justice, really.
What to Do Next
Don't panic when the phone rings. If you suspect a phone call from Google is actually a scam, just hang up. You can always go to the official Google Business Profile dashboard on your computer to check your status. If there’s a real problem, you’ll see a notification there.
Actionable Steps to Secure Your Presence:
- Audit your profile: Log into business.https://www.google.com/search?q=google.com right now. If your info is green and "Verified," any call telling you otherwise is a scam.
- Enable 2FA: Make sure your Google account has two-factor authentication. If a scammer does trick you into giving up a password, they still won't be able to get in without that second physical device.
- Check your settings: In your Google Business Profile, make sure your "Accept calls from Google" settings are how you want them. You can actually opt-out of some automated calls, though it might make your data less accurate.
- Train your staff: If you have employees answering the phone, make sure they know that Google will never ask for a password or a verification code. This is where most businesses get hacked—the owner knows better, but the 19-year-old cashier doesn't.
- Use official channels: If you actually need help from Google, you should be the one initiating contact through their "Contact Us" portal in the Help Center.
Keeping your digital footprint safe isn't about being a tech genius. It’s just about being a little bit more cynical than the person on the other end of the line. If a call feels weird, it's because it probably is. Trust your gut, check your dashboard, and never, ever give out a code.
Protecting your business data is a daily task, not a one-time setup. Stay skeptical and keep your login credentials private. No legitimate company will ever mind if you hang up and call them back through an official, verified number you found on their primary website.