Well, at least it seems that I have been successful at reporting this business as "permanently closed".
As I suspected this has now been reopened. So the scam continues and Google Map users will be ripped off when online flower orders fail to arrive or are of poor quality.
Marking these fake business as 'Permanently closed' may be technically the correct procedure, but it is entirely pointless against these scammers. They have gone to considerable trouble to set up this fake network of shops and dozens of fake LG accounts, so it's very easy for them to reopen listings.
This network needs serious Google intervention to kill all the shops and LG accounts.
If you want to report a Claimed business as spam go ahead but you'll probably get a Not Applied and a hit to your trust rating
Trying to tackle this scam in a piecemeal fashion isn't the answer. I gave Google all the details of the LGs and shops weeks ago. The reply I received was, we will look into these users and listings and take the appropriate action. Time will tell what action is taken and when.
I gave Google all the details of the LGs and shops weeks ago. The reply I received was, we will look into these users and listings and take the appropriate action. Time will tell what action is taken and when.
@PhilipF wrote: If you want to report a Claimed business as spam go ahead but you'll probably get a Not Applied and a hit to your trust rating
Also i don't get your fear of reporting something as spam. I generously (but carefully) dish them out in my areas and never encountered a single issue.
Unclaimed spam, I'll agree, is easy to report with little problem. You've reported Claimed (ie Verified) businesses as spam and never had a Not Applied?
Unclaimed spam, I'll agree, is easy to report with little problem. You've reported Claimed (ie Verified) businesses as spam and never had a Not Applied?
This has been closed since last year as i pass there all the time. Also anyone can just ask the station newsagent and will say the same.
I have seen a couple of recent customer reviews for this place that look like they got hit by this scam.
I have marked the place as closed and will see what google does.
Its a simple and not overly complex scam. The solution however may not be. Racking my brain for what could be proactive rather than reactive options....
2022
