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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 8

Well it looks like action has been taken on the accounts I reported. Just putting this up so that people can see it's worthwhile to raise reports as I felt quite frustrated that others were "cheating" for points and were massively reducing the quality of Maps as a resource. Many thanks. 

Level 7

Thanks for the update @SeatonBoy only 7 weeks lag on action then? Must be a bit of a backlog being worked through. Though disappointed the user I reported has only lost some points and their photos, I would have hoped such blatant violations would have resulted in a suspension. Though, with the 6000+ ratings they'd given, and 1000+ reviews, example of which "Efficient ATM", have been left, along with the views count. Which may indicate they have only removed them from maps, but not deleted them, or the view count is lagging. 

 

Screen Shot 2016-12-12 at 21.39.12.png

 

 

Screen Shot 2016-12-12 at 21.38.31.png

 

 

 

Level 8

@Rupert- I think it is kind of fine that some reviews are short. There are plenty of casual users who just rate places they visit or just add a random photo of their kids at a restaurant, which I don't like but they are able to do. I think the difference as a LG is that your are adding the extra information and detail that the casual user doesn't give, not just when something is wrong, and helping people find new places to explore and experience. I have a load of ratings that I haven't added reviews until I have time to do them. 


@Rupert- wrote:

Thanks for the update @SeatonBoy only 7 weeks lag on action then? Must be a bit of a backlog being worked through. Though disappointed the user I reported has only lost some points and their photos, I would have hoped such blatant violations would have resulted in a suspension. Though, with the 6000+ ratings they'd given, and 1000+ reviews, example of which "Efficient ATM", have been left, along with the views count. Which may indicate they have only removed them from maps, but not deleted them, or the view count is lagging. 

 

Screen Shot 2016-12-12 at 21.39.12.png

 

 

Screen Shot 2016-12-12 at 21.38.31.png

 

 

 


 

Connect Moderator

Thanks @YK1001 but linking back to your own post saying to do exactly what I just did here is quite useless. Thanks anyway. I shall await a Googler to see the post and check the profile.

Level 8

Hi @PaulPavlinovich,

 

Please allow me to further explain.

 

In the linked topic, I suggest posts to use subject to say "I want to report a Spammer, please contact me".

 

While in your Open Post, you said you find a Spammer and finding a way to report.

 

A more clear subject will draw attentions of our Google Moderators.  Or if you mention them in your post should do the same.

 

 

And, it will be even better for us to respect people's privacy.

 

Normal I will focus to the content of the post instead on who wrote it.

 

On the other hand, being the author of that post, I would like to hear how it can be further improved such that more LG might find it helpful.

 

Connect Moderator

@YK1001 thank you for replying again but I still don't see how what you're suggesting is any different to what I've already done. I've done my bit, I've reported it (and escalated it) and the profile will either be dealt with or it will not.

Googler

@PaulPavlinovich There currently is no way for someone to report an entire profile, however, if you find a Local Guide where you believe they are violating the policies, a Googler will send you a private message with information on how to share that profile URL with the team privately, as we respect everyone's information and ask that nothing be shared publicly. I was able to use the "clues" in your post to get the person's information and we'll look into it though we can't share our decision. Thanks for sharing.

 

 


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!.
Connect Moderator
Level 2

I Believe that any user spamming in order to cheat the system should be exposed. Some of us are completely honest and work extremely hard to keep with in the guide lines. To have some one cheat and no way of reporting their profile is just a slap in the face. I mean honestly who here treats this like their job. Because, I certainly do and I understand I'm just starting out but come on. 

Mass spam. multiple accounts
How can I remove it?
Add photos with their spam links to websites to popular points on the map.

+++

 

Local Guides definitely should have an option to flag entire user profile or several their photos/reviews at once.

Level 2

I can't flag this spammer anywhere. How do I report <REDACTED>?

Level 9

This <REDACTED> profile should be kicked out of the LG program - and GooglePlus - right away. I reported the G+ profile for spam (and blocked it, of course) but I sure hope the moderators here take action on higher level - especially since this guy is spamming on my home turf in Sweden. Yup, will me mailing local(dash)guides(at)google(dot)com as well.

Twitter: @niiloa
Blog: http://www.dvis.se
YouTube: http://youtube.com/niiloa, http://youtube.com/besmartonair
Level 9

There should be an easy way for serious LG's to report spammers, right from the Maps app - everything else seems just way too complicated and time consuming. Ping @HelloJess and all the other moderators.

Twitter: @niiloa
Blog: http://www.dvis.se
YouTube: http://youtube.com/niiloa, http://youtube.com/besmartonair
Level 9
Level 9

Hi Angela, you should probably edit your post to remove the link, if you don't do it a Moderator will. I think the Mods work on the premise of 'innocent until proven guilty' so they don't like LGs profiles mentioned publicly whilst under investigation. 

 

 

Level 2

OK, thanx for the info. I've read the instruction but I can't find where I flag him. Do you know?

 

❤️


@PhilipF wrote:

Hi Angela, you should probably edit your post to remove the link, if you don't do it a Moderator will. I think the Mods work on the premise of 'innocent until proven guilty' so they don't like LGs profiles mentioned publicly whilst under investigation. 

 

 


 

Level 9

Hey @AngelaM just mail <REDACTED> - not the most seamless workflow perhaps but that's the deal if I've got it right.

Twitter: @niiloa
Blog: http://www.dvis.se
YouTube: http://youtube.com/niiloa, http://youtube.com/besmartonair
Level 2

Ok. Thanx!

 

Googler

Hi @AngelaM and @NiiloA. As noted earlier in this thread and in the accepted solution, reaching out to a moderator by tagging them in a post (as I've tagged you both in this post) will alert us that you have a post we need to see as due to the volume of posts, we don't always see every post, especially on resolved threads. We'll then reach out to you with the appropriate way to handle a situation.

 

Please do not publish the name or links of someone you suspect may be violating Google Maps or Local Guides policies as we take everyone's privacy very seriously. Your posts have been edited to remove the personal information. 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 2

Hi @TraciC!

 

Thanx but I just keep on getting automated replies from Google with no content applying to my problem. Really annoying. Should I have to delete my business page for Monroe Design just to get rid of this obvious spammer who has never used any of my services? Seriously, if this policy is kept up, nobody is ever going to start a business page account with Google.

 

Screen Shot 2017-01-06 at 18.23.29.png

Level 7
Hi @TraciC I need to report a local guide who has spammed a lot of businesses in my area with over 80 inappropriate photos, how can I do that?

Реакции нет ни от кого.

 

 

Googler

Hi @AngelaM. I have looked into your Case and it appears you have been given the information you need and instructions to visit the Google My Business community to manage your listing from that page as needed as you're participating in the Local Guides program as an individual member of the Google Maps community. Business owners using Google My Business/Google Maps and individuals using Google Maps/Local Guides have different opportunities.

 

@Blastoise186 I will send you a private message with instructions on how to report someone you believe is violating Google Maps' policies. Thank you for not posting private information. 


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 2

Hi @TraciC,

 

No, I'm afraid I just keep on getting the same old automated reply. Very frustrating. I don't know what to do with this so I'm considering just deleting my profiles, since there's no way to regulate these fraudulent actions.

 

Please tell me what I'm supposed to do with this answer:

 

Hi,

 

We're unable to provide assistance for marking reviews as spam within Google My Business as we only provide support for Local Guides within Google Maps, but you may find the Google My Business community and help center to be helpful.

 

As we previously noted, sharing a link (as you did) of the Local Guide you believe is violating the policies will allow us to look into the account though we will not be able to share our decision. 

 

Thank you,

The Local Guides Team

Level 8

Hi @OlegKostyukevich,

 

I merged the thread here, as it should answer the "How do I...?" part of the question.

 

If you decided to go ahead to raise a report, please:

 

1.  Start a new thread with subject like "I want to report spammers, please inform how to submit details".

- do not post sensitive information, only send via the private channel given.

 

2.  Mention any one of our Google Moderators

- as introduced to us in Meet the Google Moderators

Googler

@AngelaM You have shared the information privately with the team and the team will investigate and take any necessary action. There's nothing further for you to do as an individual member of the Local Guides program as you've reported the person you believe to be violating the policies to the team/to Google Maps.

As a business owner, you may manage your listing and respond to reviews using Google My Business.

In general, content is not removed from Google Maps without an investigation and while it may be frustrating for you (additionally so since you're a business owner), it takes time to look into these matters to ensure the appropriate action is taken. 


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 2

Thank you. Finally!

Level 8

I want to report a Spammer, please contact me.

 

Regards

    :-Przemo.

Level 8

Hi @Przemo,

 

I am mentioning @TraciC on your behalf, so that they can contact you in private.

 

You can mention one of the Google Moderators featured in Meet the Google Moderators .

Googler

Hi @Przemo. I will send you a private message with the details. 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 8

Thanks @YK1001 for your help

Thank you @TraciC for your message.

 

Report sent.

 

Best regards

    :-Przemo.

Level 6

Hi @Corrie

This is Bilal from Islamabad, Pakistan. I have observed a user who has gained Level 4. Most of his points are earned by giving spam reviews like "Good Experience" to may places and updating business website with his own personal website. Whereas, I had updated correct website of the business but it is still pending, surprising? I think it is not a fair solution for serious LGs to view each review or a photo and mark these items for moderators. Serious local guides can earn points for themselves instead of reporting others postings.

Please let me know how can I report that user to moderators for actions.

 

Regards,

 

Bilal

Level 7

@TraciC I have come across a person whose text is spam. The thing is, to someone who doesn't know the area, they might think that his reviews are alright. But I know the area and I know that he has never been to most of the places he's reviewing. Thankfully he inadvertently gives some hints such as for example, mentioning it as a restaurant when in fact it is a factory, or saying he had the best sushi ever there when in fact the restaurant does sell any fish, I could go on and on. I have been reporting his reviews a couple a day, but they are all still there. But I am 100% certain they are spam. I haven't been through his complete list of reviews yet, but in one particular city every single one is spam. Is there a quicker way to report him, rather than have to report every review he's written?  Thank you.

Level 10

@TraciC or any other Google Moderators.

I want to report a spammer uploading the same photos or comepltely irrelevant ones across multiple sites.

Googler

@Simon_360 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. 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) 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 reach out to you via private message with more info as it sounds like that's what's needed now. 

 

Hi @JacekNK. Tagging you so you can see the process. 


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 10

@TraciC

So, is it better not to send firstly PM with spammer (LG) details but first only mention some of Google Moderators and wait for PM?

 

Regards,

Jacek

Google Diamond Product Expert - Maps, Business Profile, Earth, Gmail, Accounts | Street View Trusted Photographer | Local Guide | retired: Map Maker Help Forum Top Contributor & Poland RER/RL
Googler

That's correct, @JacekNK. We don't always see/read our private messages due to the volume and we want to communicate the proper process with everyone to ensure if it's a one-off situation that they report it properly (flagging in product). 


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!.
Googler

@LyndaH @WaweruM @YannisS  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. 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) 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.

 

@LyndaH I will send you a private message now with details. Thank you for not posting the info publicly. @Yanni


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

Hi Traci, I got your private message, thanks a million. I have responded. 

All the best,

Lynda

Level 3

@TraciC  I'd like to report a spammer please. 

Level 7

@TraciC I've also come across a Local Guide who appears to be abusing the system (over 8000 points using one picture at least 80 times for businesses across several continents). I've sent an email to local-guides at google dot com but it looks like I need to flag it up here as well.

 

For users like myself who don't use the forums often, would it make sense to edit the accepted solution to the original post and include the email address and flag up the need to tag a moderator ?

 

Thanks

Level 5

Hi everybody,

I don't know about you guys but I'm tired of running into photos imprinted with www.zomato.com posted on Google maps nearly everywhere I look.It's SPAM to me and I flag it every time I find one.These www.zomato.com imprinted photos are put on Google maps by someone who wants them there.These invasive photos are grabbing the Google maps headline or main photo on stacks of restaurant,cafe and other eatery sites all over the world that all of us post reviews and photos on.These www.zomato.com imprinted photos are redirecting users to their own website and away from our posted reviews /photos which we all worked hard to get.Someone on Local Guides Connect said that the Google scraper doesn't recognize these offensive photos as SPAM but I find that hard to fathom.When you are posting new reviews and photos have a look through the photos already posted...if you see photos imprinted with www.zomato.com report them as SPAM which is what they are.Zomato in case you guys don't know is an Indian based review site which is trying to expand all over the world via Google maps and other methods.I have attached 3 such www.zomato.com imprinted photos which I just found a few minutes ago.See for yourself! 

May the Google be with you.

 

Cheers,

Zed star.

 

 

 

Screen Shot 2017-02-28 at 4.12.20 PM.pngScreen Shot 2017-02-28 at 3.11.41 PM.pngScreen Shot 2017-02-28 at 3.09.22 PM.png

 

 

Level 5

Hi RupertW,

Keep up the good work scrutinizing these spammers.I ran into one from back home in Australia where the female local guide had accumulated over 2000 points by posting the same Target billboard sign on hundreds of Target stores reviews on Google maps,giving a 5 star rating and posting "Good store." as the review.I reported a few of these reviews as spam but couldn't possibly report every single one.It sure gives Local Guides a bad rep.

May the Google be with you.

 

 

Cheers,

Zed star.

 

Level 4

@TraciC   I want to report a spammer. Please contact. Thanks. 


@YK1001 wrote:

Hi @AilínE,

 

You can create a post here saying "I want to report a Spammer, please contact me.", but please do not include any personal details in the public post.

 

It is better if you can tag/mention one of our Google Moderators in the post also.

 

Our Google Moderators then will contact you so that you can send the Spammer details via private communication channels.

 

Please  be noted that Google seldom, if not never, communicate back to you the result of your report.  And do not expect fast actions as reviewing Spammer activities is a serious process and it takes time.


 

Level 4

Hi @TraciC

 

I just read your reply to an earlier post for reporting about a particular local guide. 

 

I m from Karachi Pakistan, I want to report about few local guides, those have misused this forum and posted very wrong informations and photos. And a bunch of guys who were also reviewing each other's edits. 

 

One of them is [USERNAME REDACTED]

Former Google Contributor

Hi @WaseemC, I have removed the name of the user due to privacy concern. I will reach out to you via a private message regarding this. 

 

Level 10

I want to report a Spammer, please contact me.

Level 5

@Rupert-,

That's disgusting!My big problem in the USA however is reporting www.zomato.com imprinted photos uploaded as the main photo on hundreds of Google maps restaurant and cafe reviews.For some unexplained reason these photos are very difficult to have removed when I report them as spam or containing advertising.In case you don't know Zomato is a large food review site based in India which bought Urbanspoon in the USA in 2015.It uses it's imprinted photos on Google maps to redirect users to it's own website.Not good for the hard working local guides around the world trying to get their reviews read by users.But getting back to your serial spammer...there needs to be a process when these offenders are found out where a trusted local guide can mark their post with some sort of Google icon which not only identifies them as nuisance spammers but prevents them from loading more photos and false one word reviews in the future.I guess you could call it putting a lock on the gate.  

 

 

Cheers,

Zed star.  

Level 7

If only there was a system that allowed for 'trusted' reports, and stronger sanctions for spammers. The one I originally reported here, did appear to have some sanctions, and had some photos removed, but it does seem they perfected the system to automate submissions, and as they weren't suspended, they now have over 77 million views, and 3.5k photos. (couple of months back they had 16k photos and 66million views) They are also quite a globetrotter, submitting photos for locations as distant as portugal, amsterdam and iceland in that same day, and with the same pic...

Screen Shot 2017-03-08 at 16.47.39.png

 

It's incredibly disappointing that it is so easy to exploit the LG program for spam purposes, and so little action is taken against such abuse. As a result the overall quality of submissions is diving dramatically, and the Local Guide program is becoming some type of SEO/Spam scheme which is being ruthlessly exploited, with very little effort to prevent this. If this continues at this rate, more are going to learn about the LG program as some type of black hat SEO scam, rather than a peer generated info source. 

 

 

Level 5

@Rupert-,

I agree mate.They need to be branded as a cheat.

 

 

Cheers,

Zed star.