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How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps

Googler

UPDATE: As of June 11, 2020, we now have a new process in place for reporting abusive activity on Google Maps. You can report entire profiles on Google Maps from your mobile device. Read this post to learn more.

 

Have you ever come across a place on Google Maps that doesn’t really exist? How about a place with incorrect details that look suspicious? These edits violate the Google My Business guidelines and Local Guides guidelines, and they’re considered fraud.

 

People post fraud on Google Maps for the sake of profit-generating scams, which hurt legitimate businesses and make Maps less useful for everyone. You can help fight spam by reporting violations.

 

 

Maps listings with keywords in their address fieldsMaps listings with keywords in their address fields

 

 

.:: How do I identify fraud on Google Maps? Look for the following.

 

  • Businesses that list a P.O. Box, post office or virtual office as an address. A business needs to have a real-world address to be listed on Google Maps. Virtual offices and shared workspaces are acceptable if they’re staffed during typical business hours, but be aware that using these types of places as addresses is a popular fraud technique. P.O. Boxes are OK in countries where they are essential, such as Kenya and the U.A.E.
  • Online-only businesses. Online businesses that don’t meet customers face-to-face are not eligible to be on Maps.
  • Businesses that don’t exist. If a business is on Maps but is not real, it should be reported.
  • Businesses that use employees’ addresses. The scam here is to make it appear that the business has locations in places where it doesn’t actually operate. If you see a business that seems to be in a purely residential area, this might be the reason.
  • Keyword “stuffing.” If you see search terms “stuffed” into place names or address fields, that’s a sign of a fraudulent listing.
  • Fake websites or phone numbers. For example, a fraudulent hotel listing might include a hotel booking site instead of a site for an individual business. If a business’s site seems broken or distributes malware, that’s a sign of a fraudulent listing.
  • Business impersonators: Some people create fake listings for real businesses, such as national chains. If you think a listing might be fraudulent, check the brand’s official site to see its legitimate locations.
  • Reviews that point out abuse. Sometimes, people will notice a fraudulent listing and note it in a review.
  • Profanity. Sometimes, people will deface legitimate listings with edits that include foul language.
  • Illegal businesses: If a business is illegal where it operates, it can’t be on Google Maps.

 

.::How do I report fraud on Google Maps?

 

  1. Find the business on Google Maps
  2. Scroll down and select Suggest an edit
  3. Tap Place is permanently closed or has never existed
  4. Select Spam, fake or offensive as the reason
  5. Tap Submit

Report the listing as spam flowReport the listing as spam flow

 

 

.::Reporting a Local Guide

If you've found a Local Guide contributing content or behaving in a way that seems to violate our policies or Local Guides program rules, you now have the ability to report these profiles directly in the Google Maps app. In order to do so, click on the user name in the list of Reviews/Photos they contributed or the Question/Answer they posted to get to their profile page. Once on their profile page, click on the three dot icon. Choose ‘Report’ from the menu on iOS or ‘Report profile’ on Android. For additional information, read this post.

 

.::Reporting spammed, fake, or duplicate prominent locations to Google Moderators

There are certain prominent places which Local Guides can’t edit in Google Maps, such as cities, towns, rivers, natural formations, and more. If you come across a spammed, fake or duplicate location for which you cannot submit an edit or your edit is automatically rejected, let us know in a comment below. Make sure to tag a Google Moderator and provide the following details: 

 

  • Google Maps URL of the location (Eg: https://goo.gl/maps/qAZfCWDfZzoqchHL9);
  • What’s wrong with the place? Is it spammed, fake, or duplicate?
  • Which is the wrong information? Is it the name, category, or contact information?
  • What should the correct information be? Tell us the original name of the place in English and in the local language (if applicable), the right category (Zoo, Museum, etc.), and the correct contact information (official website, address, phone number, etc.).
2,851 Comments

Hey @Badruddeen,

 

You can use the send feedback feature in the lower right-hand corner to report issues.

Level 8

Thank you. @Saad_AlDossary

Even saw many user putting one or two words like 'NICE' & 'GOOD' in review to get more points.

Level 9

Hi @TraciC

Thank you for the information. But here in Kenya. The rate of spamming is too high. Especially with images. And with the rate of your verification being too slow. It might end very long time. Also on that note. If there was a mechanism to block the said "spammer" from posting images till he/she is cleared will really help. Because as you guys are scrutinizing. These guys are on with mapping new places but with wrong graphical information. 

 

Thank you,

 

JonasK

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.

thank you for the explanation.I pretty much knew just not exactly. But I get for sure.I read through orther people's reviews to get help and also just to see. I ran into a local guide and the reviews were one liners and it was clear bythe profile pic that this person had not had alot of direction in their life.I want to help this person but I didn't flag and I don't want to break her heart. You can't tell maybe she may think she is doing fine for trying. And I would like them to know just on basis that they are trying is wonderful. But I am not the one to do this as I am too sensitive to some people who don't know any better because people didn't invest more time with them.I see too much of that in my area&I can never say no to giving them$.But I am asking a serious question about this&I feel they are worthy of some great advice and it may even have a impact of someone cared enough to tell them and give advice.I would call this a human investment.I don't want to put any embarrassing facts on open forum but if anyone has advice that could help.And if you saw it you'd understand. And It is not someone being lazy. This person could use direction. Thanks for your efforts 

Googler

@PamelaWoodward To add more information, Local Guides who contribute photos or reviews that violate our policies will have their contributions remove. Spamming is one of the reasons reviews or photos can be removed and spamming is typically malicious in nature. That is all I can say on that matter. I recommend sharing these tips for writing great reviews with others if you feel comfortable.

 

I also recommend tagging the person you are responding to/talking to here in Connect so they receive a notification, otherwise the person you are writing to may not know you are writing to them and won't receive a notification. You can write @ before their name and Connect should populate their username right after it if they are already in the conversation.


Note: Due to the volume of private messages Googlers receive, I do not read or respond to private messages. Please post publicly so others may benefit from your discussion. If you require urgent assistance, please tag a Google Moderator. Thank you!.

Thank you traciC.I get the spamming reviews and I'm safe. But If you are talking about the person I mentioned last night? I don't think this person is spamming. I just wanted someone who could help this person. I hope I'm not being misunderstood.But if were on the same page and I flag this person, I hope that the person would not be treated as a spammer. But an individual who is trying to make a go of it. The review one for example and the rest are like this as well."McDonald's-napkins on floor 1 star"another example pizza slices hot spot.line too long 1 star.Maybe I care too deeply as one can tell she's trying and I don't think she's lazy.But thanks for the information.And I will take your advice.And if I may add,since becoming more involved in the process, I find it to be more motivating and getting to know orthers is actually a cool adventure.I hope 2018 I will be able to get involved with contest as I am getting better by being hard on myself and prefer quality over quantity.And crown heights area has alot to offer and I hope to be able to hit the up&coming spots in the food area. Thank you and jeslyn and the orthers I don't know some names but you have been patient with me and I will remember that.

Level 10

And while the team decides whether the user is a spammer, the user slowly continues to add their phone number to other's objects.

Level 7

Hi @PamelaWoodward,
In the case of the person I reported his/her reviews weren't for the place they commented on. For example: a book shop and the culprit's review was for a sushi restaurant 60 kilometers away. I can only speculate they were trying to get their Google points up so they could unlock the benefits. I don't see why else they would intentionally write a restaurant review for a book store. If it was only once I would think it was an accident, but this person had hundreds of reviews that didn't match the type of place they were writing about. 
I hope this helped a little?
All the best,
Lynda

Thanks, now I totally get it! I'm a little embarrassed but I get it now. It never crossed my mind to do that. I try to have quality over quantity and I don't know why that was pounded into my head growing up.But it's a good thing people go through our reviews. I do it to learn but I'll keep my eyes opened.Again I appreciate your explanation and everyone elses as well.✌

LyndaH-you won't believe this but I caught a spammer review to day when I was catching up on contributions.I was reviewing dunkin donuts and afterwards if I have time I'll look at orther review's. And I ran into a high-end review in the dunkin donuts.But I don't know how it could have been a accident. But It was for a Manhattan fine dining restaurant and surely I was mistaken and kept reading it over to feel it out. It was long and I think at some point she would have figured it out.But why choose dunkin donuts? And could it had been a computer error ? These are more rhetorical questions as I know you are probably too busy to answer questions about this.But I'm curious as to why you would want to do this.It is clear that the board or what have you are not slackers as they point out that they can remove a review if they deem it mean or vindictive.I did flag it.But it was weird that talking about it  yesterday you explained it just as I saw it.I don't want to insult anyone by accident so traciH2 and a guy I can't remember right now both gave me great answers. As traciH you helped me with someone who is not spamming but does have poor english skills and her pitcher she chose is questionable but I felt like a moderator could give her some tips on 2-3 word reviews etc. And I was helped by all 3 of you. It was me confusing the situation as I was asking the public for help on a nom-spammer in a spamming forum&everyone was great. Thanks for your efforts 

Level 9

Hi @YanniY,

I want to report some Spammers, please contact me.

Regards,

Nima

Level 6

Hi @TraciC or any other moderator, I'd like to report a spammer who's left a pretty obvious footprint of bad behavior. Please contact me for details.

 

Thanks,

Tony

Level 7

Hey, @Tony_Wang,

 

You can report each comment the spammer has left by clicking the three dots in the upper right corner. I believe Moderators will do their best.

I ordered from a local gourmet pizza place last night and I was reading the reviews after I put mine up. One guide "borrowed " The same photos that billy's has on the food from menu.I thought this to be embarrassing and an easy way out.was I wrong to flag it? this I believe is a rule of what not to do. Is this spamming? ✌

I'm confused, do we flag it or tell you guys.I am getting different answers.I run into quite a few now.And I was told to flag but this page says to tell you here.

Googler

@Tony_Wang Hi. Our process is as follows: If you find a review or photo that you think violates Google Maps' policies, you can use the 'flag as inappropriate' icon next to the contribution. A team of specialists will then check if it violates any of the policies and will take appropriate action. The review sometimes takes time as the team is careful to only remove content that violate policy.
If you've found a specific Local Guide with activity you think violates Google Maps' policies or the Local Guides program rules, let us know here in Connect (but don't share that person's information publicly) by tagging a Google Moderator and we'll reach out to you via private message with instructions on how to share that information with the Local Guides team to share with the specialists for review. Please note that we'll never be able to share the specialists' decision as we respect everyone's privacy. I'll send you a private message now.
I also recommend reading this post for tips on searching, posting and interacting with the community to make your experience here on Connect much more enjoyable and easier to navigate.


Note: Due to the volume of private messages Googlers receive, I do not read or respond to private messages. Please post publicly so others may benefit from your discussion. If you require urgent assistance, please tag a Google Moderator. Thank you!.
Level 6

 @TraciC thanks for your reply. This was review spam, reviewer left 37 1-star reviews for various lawn care businesses in my area, and a 5-star review for one particular place, all in the last week. Pretty spammy I'd say. I sent details of his profile url to the email you mentioned.

Level 10

Thanks for info.

Thank you for sharing

Level 6

I want to report a Spammer that I think violates Google maps' policies,  please contact me. @LuisR 

Level 10

Hi @CaroM if you have found a review or photo that you think violates our policies, you can use the 'flag/report as inappropriate' icon next to the contribution.
For further information, please, refer to this article: https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/forums/v3_1/forumtopicpage/board-id/becomelocalguide/message-i...

 

Level 3

just like credit card companies can see abnormal purchasing behavior should be able to see abnormal posting activity 

Don't be jealous because if you believe like I do,that person is learning nothing. And it's a shameful act on her part.I see it is solved but,think about it.I got a man just leaving stars and one person leaving alot of 3 worded reviews but I am not getting involved because one is at 5.And it looks shameful on them.I am bad at editing and the rules said a paragraph. And I don't think 3 words is spamming anymore but I don't know how you give great reviews on 3 words either on all reviews, but one can be that good.I got great advice on spamming reviews. I am glad you got solved :PLEASE NOTE -I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT I WROTE AND MOVE ON. I SAID ONE PERSON WAS LEAVING STARS ONLY&ANOTHER LEAVING 3 WORDED REVIEW'S BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME ONLY CALL FOR 3-4 WORDS.I WAS NOT WHINING ABOUT WHAT I WROTE. I JUST WANTED TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT I SAW &THOUGHT.AND THE ONE DEFINITELY IS NOT HELPFUL&THE ORTHER SEEMS TO NOT WANT TO BE BOTHERED. WHY BE A GUIDE THEN.THIS IS TIME CONSUMING AND HOLDS UP TOO MUCH SPACE TO TAKE A EASY WAY AROUND. AND THE ALL STAR'S? WHY EVEN BOTHER WITH IT.BUT AS I STATED I GOT THE ADVICE JUST TO FOCUS ON MINE UNLESS I SEE THE SAME REVIEW AS I HAVE ONCE.AND I HAVE LEARNED FROM THE BAD MORE THAN THE GOOD ONE'S.ALSO I DON'T KNOW THEIR STORY AND MAYBE THEY DON'T KNOW.I WILL TRY TO HELP THEM B4 FLAGGING IF I THINK IT'S SOMEONE WHO CAN'T READ CORRECTLY(TOO FAST&MISSING IMPORTANT INFO) BECAUSE OF L.D OR ADD/ADHD.I KNOW THESE DISORDERS AS I'M ADD AND OBTUSE IF I DON'T REREAD. AND I HAD A REAL HARD TIME IN THE BEGINNING AND OWE ALOT OF PEOPLE AS I WANTED TO GIVE UP.BUT IT IS NOT A BAD THING ONCE YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS. BUT I WANTED TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THE STARS&3 WORDED REVIEWS AS IT LOOKED LIKE A SILLY COMPLAINT. ✌Be well&don't be afraid to ask questions no matter what your level. 

Level 6

I want to report a Spammer, please contact me.

Level 8

MicheleC 已寫:

I want to report a Spammer, please contact me.


Cc: @JeslynL

Level 9

Hi @YK1001,

I want to report some Spammers, please contact me.

Regards,

Nima

Level 6

Hi,

I found a massive Spammer with thousands of identical pictures including phone number. How should I proceed? Thanks

Level 8

Hi @NimaJafari,

 

Our Google Moderators are keeping a close eye on this thread.  Once they see new report request, they will contact us via private channel to ask for details.

 

As you have mentioned one of our Google Moderator already, please monitor your Private Message inbox.

 

 

Former Google Contributor

Thanks, @YK1001!

 

@NimaJafari@MicheleC64, I will be reaching out to you shortly via private message. Please keep a lookout. 

New to Connect? Check out Help Desk! Always keep in mind the Local Guides program rules when posting.

Level 3

Who repeated uploading the same picture to different places.


@AilínE wrote:

How can I efficiently report a user who is continuously uploading the same picture at different places all over the world in order to earn local guides points? I have reported the pictures on Google Maps several times but nothing happened.

Thank you


 

Level 6

I did exactly what that article said, and nobody contacted me. I found someone that uploads the same picture all over the World, and I wanted to report the user. Maybe I should tag another moderator? 

Level 8

Hi @channas,

 

Do you want to report Spammers to Google?  

 

If yes, no need to quote another message.  Just write "I want to report some Spammers, please contact me." will do.  Tag one of our Google Moderators will be even better.

Level 1

@TraciC wrote:

Hi @ConstantinC. I have edited your post to remove the personal information of another user as we respect everyone's privacy and discourage the sharing of private information.

 

If you find a review or photo that you think violates our policies, you can use the 'flag as inappropriate' icon next to the contribution. A team of specialists will then check if it violates any of our policies (https://goo.gl/dsVNTC, https://goo.gl/G87xzJ) and will take appropriate action.

 

If you've found a specific Local Guide with activity you deem to be inappropriate, sharing their information with us privately (the information being a profile URL and an example of the activity) will allow us to look into it, though we will not be able to share our decision. If you do have a specific Local Guide you'd like the team to look into, let me know by tagging me in a response to this post and I'll send you a private message with information on how to share that information with the team. 

 

@Sariga Regarding the photos you have uploaded, Local Guides receive 1 point per place they upload photos to, whether it's 10 photos or 1 photo. More information about points can be found in the Help Center.

 

 



Hi @TraciC, I'd like to report a profile which has been using the same two photos of skinned dogs and a skeleton arm in a lot of posts for local businesses, including the one I work at. They are completely irrelevant to the places and also rather disturbing. Please message me privately so I can send the link to the profile. Thanks. 

Googler

Hi @SandikaD. This post details how to report content on Google Maps. I will, however, send you a private message. 


Note: Due to the volume of private messages Googlers receive, I do not read or respond to private messages. Please post publicly so others may benefit from your discussion. If you require urgent assistance, please tag a Google Moderator. Thank you!.
Level 7
Level 9

I work at an Arby's location, and so from time to time I check in on photos there or try to contribute. I recently found a bunch of photos uploaded that are from an Arby's, but are definitely not from my location. These are from a Level 5 local guide that has over 50,000 points...entirely from photos. Not a single review. I have a suspicion this user is spamming chain locations with photos taken at just one location in order to rack up points.

 

I took a quick search around the forum and it seems to report spammers I just make a post and tag a moderator. Could @TraciC or somebody else contact me? (sorry for the specific tag, it's just that I see you in similar posts a lot)

 

 

Level 9
Level 9

If you Google his name you'll find a bunch of slightly weird stuff including the 'longest YouTube video ever' and counting to 100000. He obviously likes record numbers.

Level 3

If someone is posting picture of Arbys to Arbys.  How is that spam?

 

That's what Local Guides is for

Level 9

Because one Arby's isn't all Arby's. The pictures are from a different place, and the same pictures are being posted to perhaps hundreds of places that are also not that place.

 

If I take a picture of McDonald's in Japan, should I post it at a bunch of random McDonald's in the US? No. Of course the differences are less drastic when they're in the same country, but the principle is the same.

 

If these locations should share the same photos, they should also share the same reviews and place details. And they don't.

Level 5

Arby's does this themselves.

 

Screen Shot 2017-04-28 at 8.09.52 PM.png

These same exact pictures are at every Arby's location, but obviously the were not taken inside the store itself.

 

It's just to give people an idea of what the food is like.

Connect Moderator

Esas son imágenes de spam, sugiero @JonathanH, que las denuncien 

Level 9

I guess I really have two main issues with this.

1. The drinks photo. Half of the drinks in the photo we don't have and never did, and I believe this is part of the reason people ask for them anyway.

2. I don't really think this sort of behavior should be rewarded, spending 5 minutes at one location and then getting points for a hundred others.

 

At least with Arby's's (awkward) photos, they're all obviously stock photos so everybody understands that they don't perfectly reflect that location.

Level 9
Level 9

@JonathanHsu wrote:

Arby's does this themselves. 


Arby's is not a Local Guide. Business owners don't have to abide by LG rules

 

@jkmartindale you are correct to report this as spam. LG community Policy (https://support.google.com/local-guides/answer/7358351) says: Users who duplicate photos across locations, or post images that infringe on copyrights, will also be removed.

Level 10

@PhilipF wrote:


Arby's is not a Local Guide. Business owners don't have to abide by LG rules...

 


In fact Google My Business encourages business owners to post photos of their products for instance. I do not particularly like the idea of these stock photos but we are not Google and we do not make the rules. 

 

Certainly a local, family owned small restaurant will (or at least had better) not post stock photos as photos of the "real thing" (a nice dish of food) would be much better for them (this is also why I never go to those chain restaurants 😉 

 

As for the spammer LG - I can just second what @Pea says.

Level 1

@TraciC, I would like to report a guide for spamming. Please contact me, and thank you for your assistance.

 

Googler

Hi @jkmartindale. I'll reach out to you privately with instructions on how to share the information with the team but for others coming across this post I wanted to share two important references:

  • Please see this post which explains how you can report content on Google Maps.
  • Please see this post for tips on searching, posting and interacting with the community to make your experience here on Connect much more enjoyable and easier to navigate as some questions you migth have may already have answers.

Thank you!


Note: Due to the volume of private messages Googlers receive, I do not read or respond to private messages. Please post publicly so others may benefit from your discussion. If you require urgent assistance, please tag a Google Moderator. Thank you!.
Level 1

Why can't google add  An option if you flag something it immediately gets removed temporarily till a google rep looks at it and decides  if it's inappropriate or not. Then either permanently remove or repost the comments. Also I think Google needs to ban a person that leave's any racist posts permanently not just remove there post and anyone that continually leaves posts that violate google policy and Reps have to remove. If they can post whatever they want with no consequences why would they stop this behavior. By the time a post is removed it's probably viewed 10,000 plus times. This can hurt not only the places / business being reviewed it can also hurt the public opinion of Google.

Level 6

@TraciC

Found another Spammer