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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
Connect Moderator

Thanks for reaching us @Modreduk

 

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

I will tag a moderator for you @GeorgesHR, because having multiple accounts is against program rules

Level 4

Thanks. For some reason I was not able to see the list of moderators and so was not able to tag one. The reviews have been reported but as each one is valid in its own right out seemed a little more complex than just reporting one independently. 

Former Google Contributor

Hello @Modreduk,

 

I am going to contact you via private message with further instruction about how to report a Local Guide.

 

By the way I've merged your post to the How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps thread, which @ErmesT suggested to you, just to keep Connect organized. 

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

Hi, I have found a local guide who dumped a big bunch of photos of a place that has nothing to do with the place. I have reported a few but there are many more. How can i report this? @TraciC

 

Google Moderator

Hello @Jaspro,

 

Thank you for reaching out to us. I am going to contact you via private message with further instruction 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!

Anonymous
Not applicable

 Hi @StephenAbraham  and all other Google and connect moderators.

One of local guides has downloaded pictures of  some destinations from the internet and posted them for every destinations in Google maps.

So he could reach 154000 photo views in Google maps and he continues this yet.

The link of his contribution page is [REDACTED]

His connect page is [REDACTED]

I think it is a violation of Google maps policy and if you not rely on me please check the EXIF data of his photos

I think you will take necessary actions at your earliest.

@@

@IlankovanT  @@@

@AriMar

@TraciC

We can not stop this by reporting every photo because it waste  my time as well as my money.

@PaulPavlinovich

Level 9

Hi @Anonymous:

 

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. However, privacy is very important and I ask that you remove the user's details (including his name and links to his profiles).

 

For incidences like this, it is best that you tag one of the Google Moderators from this page. In this case, I will assist you here and tag @FelipePK. There will be follow up with you privately regarding the concerned user.

 

Thanks again! 

Please post publicly so others can benefit as well. I do not have private messages. Thanks!
Former Google Contributor

Hi @Anonymous,

 

Thanks for reaching out to us!

 

I redacted the personal details from the post as we do not encourage Local Guides to share private information publicly on Connect, due to privacy and safety reasons. Thanks @Shirley for pointing this out as well. 

 

I will send you a private message with further instructions and I will merge your post to the How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps thread.

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

Hi, I have been impersonated on Google Local Guides and it has posted fake and inflammatory spam reviews on a large number of businesses. Please contact me urgently @GeorgesHR @KlaudiyaG

Level 7

Ediciones incorrectas se puede marcar como spam, pero no se pueden eliminar porque infringe politicas de google, lo cual resulta contraproducente.

Former Google Contributor

Hi @Nick2t and welcome to Connect!

 

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please note that I send you a private message, so feel free to check your inbox.

 

P.S.: I merged your post with the How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps thread, 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!

Level 9

I'd like to report this to you guys to deal with. @TraciC

Level 10

Dear @TraciC @StephenAbraham @Atsukot

Please contact me.

I would like to report one LG who is seriously violating the ethics of Google LG norms. I fell he is completely psycho and needs an immediate ban from this program. If he has not taken into consideration then it will be a serious issue in future.

 

Thanks 

T Pat

Kolkata, India

Google Moderator

Hi @microwink,

Thanks for reaching out.

 

I'm going to send you a direct message with further instructions on how to report this Local Guide.

 

For similar issues, I advise you to only tag the Google Moderators mentioned in this article, so that we can assist you better. 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!

Google Moderator

Hi @TPattanaik,

Thank you for reaching out.

 

I'm sending you a private message now with instructions on how to report this Local Guide. 

 

I advise you to only tag the Google Moderators, mentioned in this article, for similar cases. This way we can assist you quicker and better.

 

By the way, I've moved your post to the How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps topic, to keep Connect organised.

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 9
Hie @DeniGu, Thank you for merging the thread of Tpattnaik. I was tagging a google moderator to merge all such tread in a single one. One more problem found; I'm unable to tag anyone here in this section.
Google Maps and Chrome Product Expert.

Always use @ before name to tag anyone on the Connect.
Google Moderator

Hi @deepakjhic,

 

Thank you for providing all the links! We'll take a look at the topics and move accordingly.

 

About you other question, can you explain what you mean by not being able to tag Connect members and use the editing panel? Are you talking about this particular thread, "How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps"?

 

This topic is organised a bit differently than the rest. Here you do not have the option to reply directly to someone's comment, but rather write your reply in a specified field at the beginning of the comment section. Still, you can tag other Local Guides by writing @ before their name, just like you tagged me. You also have all the editing options, which are available to you when commenting on other threads. 

 

Let me know if this helps!

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!

Google Moderator

Hi @PaulPavlinovich

 

Just letting you know that I'm merging this topic with How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps, to keep Connect organised. 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!

Google Moderator

Hi @Djohnson,

 

Just to let you know, I'm moving your topic to the How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps thread, to keep Connect organised. 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 9
Hello @DeniGu, Thank you for letting me know about this thread. While I'm typing it is not possible to tag you or others. I just have to type username after @. When I click on "post your comment" it will notify you.
Google Maps and Chrome Product Expert.

Always use @ before name to tag anyone on the Connect.

@Rodrigo_P Thanks for sharing this important issue with us. 

#LocalGuides | #LetsGuide | #Bangladesh |#BangladeshLocalGuides | #SoundOfBeautifulBangladesh
Google Moderator

Hi @deepakjhic,

 

Sometimes, if you type the name of a Local Guide too quickly after writing the @ mark, the menu with suggestions may fail to load. No suggestions will appear if you leave a space after the @ mark, either. This has happened to me a few times, too.

 

Can I ask you to try clearing your browser cache and cookies? Also, try to type the name of the Local Guide more slowly, because this thread is long, and it may take some time for the suggestions to load.

 

Thank you, and I hope this helps!

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
How do I report a business that is deleting legitimate reviews? I have seen them have 8 different reviews taken down (there is no way they are disappearing on their own). Also one of my reviews was taken down and I had nothing bad in it or foul language, only legitimate gripes. Please help, thank you, Fifth313ment
Level 9
Hi @deepakjhic,
Sometimes, if you type the name of a Local Guide too quickly after writing the @ mark, the menu with suggestions may fail to load. No suggestions will appear if you leave a space after the @ mark, either. This has happened to me a few times, too.

Can I ask you to try clearing your browser cache and cookies? Also, try to type the name of the Local Guide more slowly, because this thread is long, and it may take some time for the suggestions to load. Thank you, and I hope this helps!

 Hello @DeniGu,

Today it is working fine for me too. This was the first time when I noticed such bug in tagging. Without clearing cookie or cache it is working normally. 

 

Well, Thank you for additional details.

Google Maps and Chrome Product Expert.

Always use @ before name to tag anyone on the Connect.
Google Moderator

This is great, @deepakjhic, I'm happy the issue is resolved. 🙂

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 9
Hie @DeniGu, Right now I'm unable to tag and give you kudo. I've created a video for the same. After stopping video recording I cleared chrome data and tried again but no luck.......
Google Maps and Chrome Product Expert.

Always use @ before name to tag anyone on the Connect.
Level 10

 

I also noticed one of local guides has downloaded pictures of  some destinations from the internet and posted them for every destinations in Google maps.

So he could reach 10000  photo views in Google maps and he continues this yet.

More over, an elaborate experiece of visiting an amusement park was also copied titto for other 10 amusement Park and still getting points for all.

Although I reported several times it was of no  use.

Such shamedul reviwers are still existing and Google is  not taking action inspite of reporting and getting points. It cannot be justifiable for those genuine reviewers and seemed to be an insult.

 

Knowing clearly violation of Google maps policy strict action is required immediatelyat the earliest. 

 

Appreciate sending private message.

jojo
Level 9
Hie @jojo522, Please follow the all steps shared by @Rodrigo. You need to tag a Google moderator. Please check the bottom part of the main post and tag a google moderator. There are many Google Moderators on this post, maybe they consider your reply. Thank you
Google Maps and Chrome Product Expert.

Always use @ before name to tag anyone on the Connect.
Level 10

@Rodrigo_P@DeniGu

 

I had reported fraud for a business  several times which were permanantly closed  for years but still showing existing inspite of my editing it as closed but showing Not Approved. Even the reviews vouch the non existence but  the guests were much disapointed visiting it thinking it still exist.It is fustrating.

The possibility may be the business  address still showing the web page or the owner needs publicity. But it cannot be at the expense of the guest. Need strict actions.

Appreciate sending private message.

 

jojo
Level 10

@Rodrigo_P @DeniGu

 

I had reported fraud for a business  several times which were permanantly closed  for years but still showing existing inspite of my editing it as closed but showing Not Approved. Even the reviews vouch the non existence but  the guests were much disapointed visiting it thinking it still exist.It is fustrating.

The possibility may be the business  address still showing the web page or the owner needs publicity. But it cannot be at the expense of the guest. Need strict actions.

Appreciate sending private message.

 

jojo
Level 10

@deepakjhic

Thanks. I did so many times as i am aware of such things. But of no use still existing?????

jojo
Former Google Contributor

Hello @jojo522,

 

Thank you for raising your problems. I will send you a private message with instructions on how to report this specific Local Guide. 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!

Former Google Contributor

Hi @Fifth313ment,

 

Just to let you know, I'm moving your topic to the How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps thread, to keep Connect organised. Thank you!

 

I will send you a private message with instructions on how to report this specific Local Guide. 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 7

I have some of doubts about the local guides can you clear my doubt ?

[REDACTED]

India country

jailsingh
Former Google Contributor

Hello @JailSingh,

 

Thanks for reaching out. Please note that I also have redacted your personal contact details from the post. You might not know but we do not encourage Local Guides to share private information publicly on Connect in order to protect yours and other users' privacy and safety. People who wish to contact you can use the Private Message feature here on Connect.

 

I'm sending you a private message now with instructions on how to report this Local Guide.

 

By the way, I've moved your post to the How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps topic, to keep Connect organised.

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!

Anonymous
Not applicable

@TraciC I'd like to report a local guide for spamming unrelated photos to multiple locations. Please contact me and I will provide the guide's username.

Google Moderator

Hello @Anonymous,

 

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.

 

PS. Please avoid tagging people who are not in this post - Meet the Google Moderators.

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!

Former Google Contributor

Hello @Anonymous,

 

Thank you for reporting the Local Guide for spamming photos.

 

I am going to send you a private message and please do not tag people that are not mentioned in the topic.

 

PS: I am going to merge your post to the following article: How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps

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

In my country Egypt you can find on map a lot of spammers who load all types of photos write any thing in reviews So, how can we end this problem if google map put this option to hidden your contributions.20181205_231112.png

 

@localguidesegypt #localguidesegypt
@letsguide #letsguide
@connectlive #connectlive
***proud to be a local guide***

Have a lovely day, wherever you are!
Former Google Contributor

Hi @ERFAN_ALSENOSY,

 

Thanks for reaching out.

 

In the How to identify and report fraud on Google Maps thread you can find tips how to deal with spam contributions on Google Maps.

 

By the way I've merged your post to the above mentioned thread, in order to keep Connect neat. 

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 5

@thepicho

you have to tag a moderator like @KatyaL for further assistance and forward information to the internal team of investigation in that specific case, also reporting directly on Google Maps would help

meh
Level 7

Hi, I found  fake reviews & face accounts  of dental clinic that  create an incorrect image and deceive people. There a hundred fake reviews, maybe hundred accounts.

These accounts  added a lot of fake feedbacks , it’s easy to explain and show: all accounts have reviewes only about this clinic, they have three departments. I think these reviews were bought by the clinic somehow. Fakes should not be on google maps!

What can I do ?

 

 

[IMAGES REMOVED]

Kate Stetsenko
Connect Moderator

Thanks for reaching us. @itcreative

 

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

For everyone's privacy, please edit your post, removing the pictures that you added. Google don't need to have that information here, if needed, you will be contacted on business days @DeniGu

Level 7

I want to bring to the notice of the moderator that a person named [NAME REMOVED] is copying pictures from local blogs and pasting these pics as his own. Some pictures even have watermarks of other bloggers. All his reviews and photos DO NOT belong to him .He is just lifting the content and photos of people and uploading them all to Google Local Guide .

Level 7

I want to bring to the notice of the moderator that a person named V*****t S******r is copying pictures from local blogs and pasting these pics as his own. Some pictures even have watermarks of other bloggers. All his reviews and photos DO NOT belong to him .He is just lifting the content and photos of people and uploading them all to Google Local Guide .

 

@ErmesT

@DeniGu

Level 2

Hi @thex,

thx for info...

I already didi it and I got info that they will investigate the local guide I reported.

Unfortunately the guide is still active and giving 1 * to every place he/she visit.

 

You can check his profile which is not real name: Archeryman Archeryman

 

Thx

 

P.S: @KatyaL please if you can advice what to do...

 

 

Connect Moderator

Hi @Vijayendra

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, for everyone's privacy, edit your post, removing the name of the Local Guide.

We don't need to know his name here.

Can you also change the label of the post to "How to", that is more appropriate than "food" and "photography"? (I have merged your two post with the same content)

 

@DeniGu

 

Level 5

I want to bring to the notice of the moderator that a person named [REDACTED NAME] is copying pictures from local blogs and pasting these pics as his own. Some pictures even have watermarks of other bloggers. All his reviews and photos DO NOT belong to him .He is just lifting the content and photos of people and uploading them all to Google Local Guide .

Level 7

Recently, I came across many local guides who have earned Level 7,8, 9 or even 10 badge. When I opened their profile to see what they post, I was surprised. Those are not local guides who guide to help. Instead, they had just posted spam. Some of them posted similar looking photo multiple times. Some of them had posted photos that are unrelated to the place. Some had written just one-liner reviews(which barely could help someone) and some reviews are spam and unrelated to the places. Google should do something to deal with such accounts.