I am posting here after I tried to solve my problem with GBP support and GBP forum with no success.
I don’t know where to go for advice so I am asking here.
Here is the storyline:
This is the 2nd time spammers changed my business name and address. On the first time, I asked for a new postcard and my business was verified again.
On 2nd Time (2 weeks ago) , spammers changed the name and address again so I asked for a new postcard to claim it again.
I received the postcard and I entered the code, one hour later I comeback to check if all is verified and I saw that GBP ask me to send a new postcard (which doesn’t make sense because I just enter the new postcard code)
But, I didn’t have any choice so I waited another week to get the new postcard. This time I decided to hide my address after a recommendation from GBP forum.
When I entered the code google refuse to change my business name.
I don’t know what to do any more… like I said I tried the GBP support but seems like they don’t know themselves what’s going on. Actually its seems like I am talking to a robot because they repeating the same answer again and again.
My business link: https://g.page/eden-garage-doors?share
Sorry for your troubles about the spammers. The GBP is still the proper place to go though. Connect is only for local guides,and infact business owners and organisations are strictly prohibited to participate here as business owners. You are welcome to participate as a local guide like the rest of us but not as a business owner
That said,perhaps I should tag @ErmesT please.He should be able to help us out and hopefully you will get your issue escalated. Thank you.
Yes, I am still the owner of the business. They never claim my business they just changed the name and address of the business. I am guessing they did it via map edit.
After they changed my address I tried to edit the fake address back to the original address, as a result google asked me to reverify it via postcard. (They never took ownership)
This is why I hide my address now, because I serve customers in there locations. But yes, until now the address used to be visible.
When I asked new postcard at the last time, I was making sure to hide it. But seems like even though I hide the address I am still getting calls from people far away from me (people calling nearby the fake address)
Pleaae ensure to tag @ErmesT in doing that He gets a direct notification from you. I just happened to check and saw your message now.
Maybe he is not aware you responded already. I would imagine he has lots of post to respond to.You can édit your message to tag him. Subsequently please kindly tag him so that you can get a prompt reply and get your issue sorted out.
Unfortunately there is not too much that we can do to help you, other than suggesting you to ask for a call from GBP, to be able to talk with the assistance from Google.
It is weird that you can’t revert the name, so I’ve made a search, and found that in the area there are a lot of businesses like yours. Have you checked if in the location where they moved your business there is another activity like yours?
I’m asking because it can be the first step of an attempt to drive your customers to a different business.
If this is the case the issue should be reported to the police too
They move the business far away from my service area. I ranked in the top 3 position in Fort Lauderdale and i am guessing they enjoying my potential customers in Fort Lauderdale.
All the area is full of garage door spam and even though I keep reporting the fake maps google don’t do too much about it.
Unfortunately no, I don’t have any contact in the GBP side, @Matteden .
We are the two sides of the coin, here we contribute as “Customers”.
But I can add one thing, because being a Local Guide I know that frequently this is one of the reason for a good verification: make sure that your business appear, with your name and your address, in the public and in the official directories (e.g. here in Italy we have the public registry of the company on the Chamber of Commerce).
This will make easier to fix the issue and to make more difficult to change your name/address.
I also want to let you know that I will change the topic of your post to How-tos to keep Connect organized. This is the place where you can ask questions, share tips and feedback about Connect and the Local Guides program.
Thank you for your question and willingness to comply with our rules.
As long as your Local Guide’s account does not represent the business you are the owner of, in any kind, you may continue to contribute as an individual to the program. That said your username, contributions to Google Maps and here on Connect should not resemble your business.
It will be nice having you here as a fellow Local Guide.
A lot of my friends own a business listing in Maps, but they are also Local Guides, because they shop, travel, go to restaurants like each of us. But being business owners they also know the value that our contributions can have for a business, so they contribute with really high quality content.
You are welcome to participate and to contribute also here, sharing your experience of Local Guide, discovering with us the whole planet.