Google My Business is FREE: Don’t fall for a scam!

As a small business owner, it’s important to be aware of the various scams that exist online. One common scam that small business owners may face is receiving a phone call or email from someone claiming to be from Google and asking for money to pay for their Google My Business (GMB) profile. It’s important to note that this is a scam and that Google will never contact you for money to pay for your GMB profile.

Google My Business is a free service offered by Google that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. Setting up a GMB profile is a simple process and it’s completely free. If you receive a call or email from someone claiming to be from Google and asking for money to pay for your GMB profile, it’s important to understand that this is a scam and that you should not provide any personal or financial information.

Scammers may use various tactics to trick you into paying for a fake service, such as claiming that your GMB profile needs to be updated or verified in order to appear higher in Google search results. They may also offer to optimize your profile or provide other services in exchange for a fee. However, these services are not necessary and are not provided by Google.

To protect yourself from scammers, it’s important to be aware of the following:

• Google will never contact you for money to pay for your GMB profile.
• Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls or emails claiming to be from Google.
• Don’t provide personal or financial information to anyone claiming to be from Google.
• If you’re unsure whether a call or email is legitimate, it’s best to hang up or delete the email and reach out to Google directly to verify the information.

In addition to these tips, you should also be aware of other common online scams such as phishing, malware and fake websites. You can protect yourself by following these simple steps:

• Use anti-virus software and keep it updated
• Don’t click on links or download attachments from unknown sources
• Don’t provide personal or financial information to unknown websites or email addresses
• Be suspicious of unsolicited emails and phone calls that ask for personal or financial information.

In conclusion, it’s important for small business owners to be aware of the various scams that exist online, especially those related to their GMB profile. By understanding that Google will never contact you for money to pay for your GMB profile, and being aware of common tactics used by scammers, you can protect yourself and your business from fraud.