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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
Level 7

i would to know how can i report someone.

this guy posts all kinds of photos everywhere and most of them not related with the point, i can only think that he does this to get points.

problem is that someone from outside dont know what is what with so many wrong photos and i cant report all of them.

 

in this example, the place is this photo :

https://lh3.ggpht.com/p/AF1QipM2zEvIa0cjcBrrOuuUiEVBH2gaGN7JIaJsMZ1B=s1536

 

all the rest from him are totally wrong.

and looking at his profile i see that he does this everywhere.

 

im getting tired of fixing all his abuses in my town.

 

regards

 

Nunottx

 

Connect Moderator

Hi @Nunottx, Thanks for reaching us.

 

Please read this post to know how to report a Local Guide: How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps

Also please edit your post to remove, for everyone privacy, the link from your post.

We don't need it, as you will be able to share everything in Private Mode

Level 7

Thanks

 

Links removed.

 

.::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, let us know here on Connect—but be sure not to share that person's information publicly. Create a post about the issue and tag a Google Moderator. The team will reach out to you via private message with instructions on how to proceed further.

 

means someone will contact me in private?

 

Best regards

 

Nunottx

Connect Moderator

Yes @Nunottx a Googler will likely contact you.

Level 7

Rodrigo,

 

i need help reporting one Local Guide.

https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/General-Discussion/Abuse-report/m-p/1072853#M187705

 

regards 

 

Nunottx

@GeorgesHR,@Rodrigo_P, Please guide regarding existing place which claimed by any person as his business and changed it's name. which section I have to opt out. Link will provided on demand.It is main temple of my city which you can check from it's reviews and photos. Another duplicate place also generated with temple name there after claim/change.

Regard's

Neeraj Kumar

Level 3

I've been having issues with Local Guides giving our dealership bad ratings without any content. I look them up in our systems and most, if not all, of the times they have not been in our store for years! It looks like they review many businesses all at once. What is the best way to provide Google with information that proves these are not legitimate ratings?

@mcuria, Just click on Three Dots (Option) of review and Report Review.

Level 3

Thank you. Which option do I select? Spam?

@mcuria, Spam or Conflicts Of Interest , Which you feels better. Don't forget to tag Moderator and share local guide details on Connect with your issue.

Level 5

Good luck getting anyone at Google to respond to your suggestion. What they need is a way to report bad reviews by Local Guides. I know a situation where a local guide has given a one start rating with no written review - and has never been a customer of the business they rated.

Level 3

That happens to us all the time! Very frustrating! 

Former Google Contributor

Hi @Nunottx,

 

Thanks for reaching out.

 

I am going to send you a private message with instructions how to report a Local Guide.

 

By the way I've merged your post to a How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps.

Due to the volume of private messages Google Moderators 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!

@mcuria@@@ Tag Google Moderator in your post for a early response.

@jdelaney1960@Please Tag Google Moderator in your's post. It will be helpful

Level 7

@MashaPS,

 

Thank you, mail sent.

 

regards

 

Nunottx

Former Google Contributor

Hey @Nunottx,

 

Thanks for being pro-active.

 

By the way, if you would like to mention someone so they receive a notification, you can type @ and start typing their name.

Please consider reading this post before sending me a Private Message - Private Messages and Google Moderators
Level 5

Hi @GeorgesHR. I have a situation where several people, including one Local Guide, have posted one-star ratings and not given a written review. In these situations, the business owner has never done business with these people. I've reported the review several times.

Former Google Contributor

Hey @jdelaney1960,

 

This is exactly what should be done with an untruthful review.

 

You can check these Local Guides contributions and if you believe they are spamming, please revert back here.

Please consider reading this post before sending me a Private Message - Private Messages and Google Moderators
Level 7

@GeorgesHR

 

Thank you

i dont like people that abuse the system for points or because he is lasy.

i add local tourist sites and is annoying seeing people submitting all kinds of photos not related with the spot, it will be confusing for outsiders.

 

regards

 

Nunottx

Former Google Contributor

Hey @Nunottx,

 

This is why we as Local Guides can make a change to Google Maps. We can report reviews, write here on the community and make better contribution overall.

Please consider reading this post before sending me a Private Message - Private Messages and Google Moderators
Level 5

The local guide I refer to hasn't done any reviews since five done 8 months ago. She has another rating/non-review that's clearly spam. She also mentions contacting the Better Business Bureau on the largest provider of electricity in the state of Florida - as if that could prevent someone from doing business with them - when that's not an option.

 

I know who the guide is and reached out through a person that knows her personally, primarily to ask her to remove the one-star rating since she clearly is lying and the small painting company has never done business with her.

 

As someone who reviews businesses honestly and actually writes of my experience with the business, it's wrong to allow that review to remain. If something can be done about it, I'll provide the guides information.

Former Google Contributor

Hi @jdelaney1960,

 

Thanks for reaching out.

 

I am going to send you a private message with instructions about how to report a Local Guide.

Due to the volume of private messages Google Moderators 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 10

@GeorgesHRI would like to report a Local Guide abusing reviews.

From Saint Petersburg with ♥ | Russia Local Guides Russian Language Thread

Former Google Contributor

Hi @Ale5ander,

 

Thank you for reaching out to us! 

 

I will send you a private message with instructions on how to report the Local Guide, thanks. 

Due to the volume of private messages Google Moderators 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!

@GeorgesHR

 

I've come across a local guide who seems to just want to use the review function to proselytize, and do nothing but. How do I report them?

Former Google Contributor

Hi @Le_Petit_Lapin,

 

Thank you for bringing this to our attention! 

 

I will send you a private message with instructions on how to go ahead, thanks. 

Due to the volume of private messages Google Moderators 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

@AlexaAC I have reported a review as fraud. This is a very obvious case, the guy claims to have bought some sandwiches at our place. But we are an catering compagny we do not serve at our own location. If you look at his profile he is rating everything, multiple garages, sexshows, walking places and is rating an association for autism with one start saying: "stupid Autist"  And in one review he is saing: "i like to just wandering around and rate everything I see and writing just anything I come up with some good, some bad"

 

I think he is trying to get an certain localguide rating: [info redacted]

Former Google Contributor

Hi @Nescio,

 

Thank you for bringing this to our attention!

 

I will send you a private message with instructions on how to go ahead. 

 

PS: I've edited your message for privacy reasons, as we don't encourage posting private information. 

Due to the volume of private messages Google Moderators 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 2

@GeorgesHR   

 

I have flagged multiple off-topic/spam reviews from a single guide, but the reviews still exist. How can I report the individual rather than his reviews?

 

Regards,

KH

Former Google Contributor

Hello @DKHerr,

 

I will send you a private message with instructions on how to report this specific user so our team can look into this person's account and take any appropriate action, though we won't be able to share the final decision as we respect everyone's privacy. We ask that you do not share any information publicly about the person you think may be violating our policies as we respect everyone’s privacy. 

Due to the volume of private messages Google Moderators 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 3

Gentile  @Sorbe 

dopo aver letto le norme per segnalare eventuali abusi relativi alle guide, Le scrivo per avere un suo parere relativo alla recensione di una guida al'attività che gestisco. 
La recensione è buttata lì a caso e, visitando il profilo della suddetta guida, si può notare che quest'ultimo non è nuovo a questo tipo di comportamenti.
Ho provveduto a segnalare questo abuso tramite la procedura di google business ed a rispondere in maniera educata alla recensione falsa.
Ora chiedo a Lei quali ulteriori passaggi devo compiere affinchè la recensione venga rimossa o vengano presi provvedimenti dalla community di Local Guides Connect.

Grazie 

Cordiali Saluti

ps: disponibile a dettagliare tutti qualora mi venga chiesto in privato.

Level 8

Hi @AlexaAC

I have a bit of trouble with a spamming Local Guide. He's posted 14,764 photos (!) but he 'recycles' a subset at multiple places.

 

Like in my hometown, he added pictures to 6 locations: every time the very same pictures (85, 82, 54, 50, 20 and 7 pictures respectively). It's very frustrating as it severly delutes the real photos of these places. For example: the Kazematten, which is an cave-like fortification, displays a picture of a clock tower when you Google Search for it (either on the web or in the Maps app)! I noticed this 'Local Guide' to have done so multiple times in other places as well.

 

Anyway, please contact me so I can give you his details.

Hartelijk dank, baie dankie 😉

Marc

 

vlissingen spam.jpg

Former Google Contributor

Hi @MarcNL,

Thank you for reaching out to us!

 

I will send you a private message with instructions on how to report the Local Guide, thanks. 

 

Due to the volume of private messages Google Moderators 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 3

Have a "fake" review from local guide. Not a bad review, but a 3 Star, which is bringing down our average. This Local Guide interviewed for a position with us, and did not get hired, which I believe is why only 3 stars were given. He has not used our company or services. Please advise.

@TraciC

Former Google Contributor

Hello @GJCWindows, Local Guides can review your business, but if you think it’s a fake review, you can report the review as being off-topic. Google Maps team may take down the review that are flagged as fake or in violation of Google's review policies. We encourage all Local Guides to follow our program rules. Thank you!

Level 5

I'd like to report a Google Maps local guide I found using blatantly racist language in their reviews.  This was not toward my own business but others I found after looking at some of the other reviews this individual has written. Thanks

 

 @AlexaAC

Level 7

@Sorbe, @AngieYC, @InaS can one you get these guys kicked out of reviewing? This is just one location, but there is evidence everywhere. Is there any easier way of reporting? [Redacted] . 

Former Google Contributor

Hi @TravellBug

 

I wanted to let you know that I removed the news article and the Google Maps profile from your post as we respect everyone's privacy here on the Connect forums. We have a procedure in place for reporting a Local Guide or content on Google Maps. In this case, you simply would need to tag a Google moderator and we will reach out to you via private message with further instructions.

 

Please understand that we can escalate issues shared by the community but we are unable to share the results of any investigation with you. Content on Google Maps is only removed if it does not adhere to Google Maps Contributed Content policy.  So teams investigating this are not taking a measure of the person sharing the content, but rather of the content itself.

 

I will reach out to you via private message with further instructions.

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!

Google Moderator

Hi @myoder085,

 

I'll send you a private message with instructions on how to report a Local Guide.

 

Thank you!

Due to the volume of private messages Google Moderators 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
Spoiler
 

I recently Found a local guide who cheats a lot to level up faster. He making questions and answers to it himself.

He also copied the description of a school from their website and posted in as a review of an another school with similar name.

 

I wish there was some way to ban these cheaters

 

Former Google Contributor

Hi @Govind_Ruby,

 

I am going to reach out to you via private message now with further instructions, so please check your inbox.

 

P.S.: When you want to report a suspicious Local Guide, please tag a Google Moderator. Please note that I moved your post in here, as it fits better there. One more thing, you might not know but we do not encourage Local Guides to share private information publicly on Connect, such as Maps profiles, telephone numbers, email addresses etc. in order to protect yours and other users' privacy and safety.

Due to the volume of private messages Google Moderators 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 2

Hello sir who are you what are doing 

Level 7

Hallo zu alle zusammen bin neu und  komme aus Deutschland. 

Level 2

 

my Kathmandu nepal cty

https://youtu.be/ABskCpZ35Qk

 

Level 7

Ich bin zur Zeit auf Urlaubs Reise in der Türkei. 

Level 5

I need to report a local guide. This user does not provide feedback, and averages a 3 star rating over 84 reviews. Many of the photos also are random photos of an area that are taken in the same parking lot. I don’t believe this user is contributing to our cause, and is abusing the guide system to improve his own personal rank. Can a googler please reach out to me.

 

thank you!

Level 8

hi my name is siavash i live in iran i have same problem in my city there is a lot spam location and pictures but i cant to report them we need report a local guide directly

 

 

ty

Level 6

If you click on the 3 dots on any review or photo you can report it.... Google will pickup on that, especially if the bulk of a user's reviews are reported

Former Google Contributor

Hello @Sey1290,

 

I am going to reach out to you via private message now with further instructions on how to report the Local Guide.

 

Just to let you know, whenever you want to report a suspicious Local Guide, please tag a Google Moderator.

 

Please note that I moved your post in the following article How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps, as it fits better there.

Due to the volume of private messages Google Moderators 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!