UK Shuts Down Company Impersonating Google Over Local Listings

Aug 10, 2017 - 8:34 am 13 by
Filed Under Google Maps

Google Impersonator

I hate it, and I am sure hate it also, when someone calls you and claims they are Google. It happens fairly often, espesially around Google My Business local listings. It is nothing new and it seems like Google can't do anything to stop it. These companies call unsuspecting businesses, claim they are from Google, and threaten that their local listing will be removed if they don't pay up.

Well, the UK's Insolvency Service, a government agency in the UK, shut down one such firm doing this practice in the UK. The BBC reports the government agency said this specific firm they shut down did the following:

  • falsely implied that it represented or was affiliated to Google when speaking to clients
  • falsely implied they would lose their listings if they failed to pay it
  • failed to make clear its contracts auto-renewed after a 12-month period
  • used "offensive and threatening" debt collection methods

Sound familiar?

I just wish there was a faster way to close down these firms.

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
- YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: July 11, 2025

Jul 11, 2025 - 10:00 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Helpful Content Recoveries With Core Update, AI Mode Expands, Hidden Ad Terms & Fewer Ad Clicks

Jul 11, 2025 - 8:01 am
Google Maps

Google Local & Business Profiles Drops June 25th - Reporting Glitch?

Jul 11, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google

Google Tests Zoom Effect In On Images Within Search Results

Jul 11, 2025 - 7:41 am
Bing Search

Bing Search Image Box Tests Explore Image & Visual Search Buttons

Jul 11, 2025 - 7:31 am
Bing Search

Microsoft Bing Tests Delivery Truck Icon In Search Ads

Jul 11, 2025 - 7:21 am
Previous Story: Google My Business Action URLs For Online Orders, Reservations & More