If you own a business, chances are you rely on Google Maps and Google Search to help customers find you. Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is often the first thing people see when they search for your name.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: anyone can suggest edits—or even create a listing for your business—and scammers are exploiting this every day.
A Real-World Lesson
Recently, a well-known South African guest lodge discovered a second Google listing in their name.
The fake profile looked convincing: correct address, professional photos, even recent reviews.
The only giveaway? The phone number belonged to a fraudster who happily took bookings, issued invoices, and pocketed deposits.
And here’s the kicker: while a scammer can spin up a fake listing in minutes, getting it removed or corrected as the legitimate owner is a slow, frustrating nightmare.
Why It’s So Easy for Fraudsters
Google allows the public to:
- Create a new business listing at any address.
- Suggest edits to names, phone numbers, and URLs—changes that can go live with minimal verification.
A fraudster only needs:
- An address (which is often public).
- A prepaid SIM card for a fake phone number.
- A little patience.
That’s it. Your customers may start calling them before you even realise what’s happening.
Why It’s So Hard for Owner
When the real business tries to reclaim control, the process flips from instant to bureaucratic.
Here’s what we faced (and what you can expect):
- Multiple Support Channels – You start with Google Business Profile support, who send you to a different “specialised team.”
- Endless Case Numbers – Each step generates a new case ID, but no single team owns the outcome.
- The Business Redressal Form – You must provide:
- Police affidavits or case numbers
- Proof of company registration (FICA/VAT, tax documents, incorporation certificates)
- Genuine invoices and proof of fraud
- An authorisation letter from the business owner
- Waiting…and Waiting – After submission you’re told to “wait for an email,” but the automated acknowledgement warns you will not receive further updates.
- No Guarantees – Even after supplying everything, Google states they “cannot guarantee any action will be taken.”
Meanwhile, the fraudulent listing remains live, taking bookings and damaging reputations.
Confession of A Google Business Profile Cheat!
Watch This:
“The Chilling Confession of A Google Business Profile Cheat!” — this short video lays bare how easily someone can set up a fake listing, hijack contact info, and take advantage of the system. It’s eye-opening, and exactly why we’re talking about this now.
⚠️ If you run a business, watching this should be part of your guard plan: learn what weak points fraudsters exploit, so you can lock yours down first.
How to Protect Yourself Before It Happens
- Claim and Verify Your Listing
- Go to Google Business Profile.
- Search for your business name and follow the prompts to claim it.
- Complete verification (postcard, phone, or email).
- Secure Your Access
- Use a company Google account—not a personal email.
- Enable two-factor authentication.
- Review admin users regularly and remove ex-employees immediately.
- Monitor Weekly
- Log in and check for pending updates or “suggested edits.”
- Turn on email notifications for any changes.
If You’re Already Compromised
- Act Fast – Submit a Business Redressal Complaint Form with every supporting document you can gather.
- Alert Your Customers – Post warnings on your website, social channels, and booking platforms.
- Report the Listing in Google Maps – Use “Suggest an edit → Offensive or misleading” to flag the fraud. Encourage staff, friends, and customers to do the same.
- Consider Legal Action – File a police case and keep records, even if local authorities are slow to respond.
The Bottom Line
Google Maps is a powerful marketing tool—but it’s not bulletproof.
Fraudsters can hijack your brand in minutes, while you spend weeks gathering documents, filing forms, and hoping a faceless support team takes action.
The best defence is prevention: claim your listing, lock it down, and monitor it like you would your bank account.
Because once a scammer moves in, Google’s own process can leave you waiting while the fraudster keeps cashing in.