At Sharpe Marketing, we help businesses grow their digital presence the right way—so when we hear about companies being targeted by phone scammers pretending to be “Google Business Profile support,” it hits close to home. These calls are not only annoying but can also cost unsuspecting business owners money, access, and peace of mind.
Just today, I received one of these voicemails:
“Hey this is Justin from the business help center. We are having an urgent issue with the keywords on your Google Business listing and would like to get this fixed before the end of the day so it doesn’t disrupt services. Please call us today at your earliest convenience 877-256-8935. Now our office closes at 5PM Eastern today, so please call us before then. Again, we are having an urgent issue with your keywords on your Google Business Listing, and would like to get this fixed before the end of the day so it doesn’t disrupt services.”
Sound familiar? Let’s break down why this is a scam and how to protect your business.
Why Google Will Never Call You About Your Business Profile
Google does not cold call businesses to tell them there’s a problem with their Business Profile. If you have an issue, Google communicates through:
- Email notifications tied to the account that manages your profile.
- Alerts inside your Google Business Profile dashboard.
- Help Center resources at support.google.com/business.
If someone calls you with urgency, deadlines, or threats about losing your profile, it’s a scam.
The Scammer’s Playbook
When I called back the company to press for more information, they eventually claimed to be “LSG” out of Houston, Texas. At first, they wouldn’t even tell me their company name. When I asked for a website, they said they didn’t need one since they “specialize in B2B services.” When I asked why they didn’t have their own Google Business Profile if they supposedly fix them, they said they didn’t need that either.
That’s a red flag—any legitimate digital marketing or SEO company should have a website, an online presence, and a verifiable reputation.
Unfortunately, some business owners don’t realize this until it’s too late. One person shared on Google’s own Business Profile help forum that they were tricked by Local Search Group (LSG)—the very same name I was given. The scammer claimed that because of “AI integration” into Google, they had to update “21 trillion business listings” and convinced the victim to pay a one-time $499 fee.
But it didn’t stop there. After that initial payment, the company hit the victim with unauthorized charges of $5,000, forged their signature on a contract they’d never seen, and even sent official-looking emails with a fake “Authorized Google My Business Representative” logo. The victim realized too late that Google Business Profiles are free and managed only through Google—not through third-party cold callers.
This story is a perfect example of what these scammers are really after:
- Your money – They’ll charge you hundreds (or thousands) for services you can access for free through Google.
- Your access – They may try to get login credentials so they can take control of your Business Profile.
- Your trust – Once they control your listing, they can hold it hostage or lock you out entirely.
Legitimate Companies That Actually Help
It’s important to note that not all third-party services are scams. There are legitimate companies that provide real value by helping businesses manage their online listings.
For example, Yext and Uberall are trusted platforms that ensure your business information is accurate and synced across dozens of directories and publishers—not just Google. That includes places like Bing, Yahoo, Apple Maps, Yelp, and even voice assistants like Alexa.
- Yext helps keep your information consistent everywhere customers might find you. Change your hours or phone number once, and Yext pushes that update to all major platforms.
- Uberall offers similar services, making sure your digital presence is complete, consistent, and optimized across multiple channels.
These companies charge fees, but unlike scammers, they provide transparency, clear deliverables, and measurable value. They don’t cold call with scare tactics—they work with you to strengthen your online presence.
How to Protect Your Business
- Hang up immediately if you get one of these calls.
- Never share passwords or account access with unsolicited callers.
- Check directly with Google—log into your account and verify if there’s actually an issue.
- Work only with trusted partners who can prove their credibility with a website, references, and case studies.
At Sharpe Marketing, we’ve helped countless businesses optimize their Google Business Profiles the right way—without fear tactics or scams. And if you need broader listing management across the web, we can guide you on whether a solution like Yext, Uberall, or a local partner makes sense for your goals.
Scammers vs. Legitimate Listing Management Companies
| Scammers (Fake “Google Support” Calls) | Legitimate Companies (Yext, Uberall, etc.) |
|---|---|
| Call you out of the blue claiming to work with Google | You reach out to them directly or through official channels. |
| Use urgency, fear, and deadlines to pressure you. | Explain their services clearly without scare tactics. |
| Say your Google Business Profile is “broken” or at risk. | Show how they can sync your listings across Google, Bing, Apple Maps, Yelp, and more. |
| Often won’t give a company name, website, or references. | Have a professional website, reviews, and case studies. |
| Try to get your login info or take control of your profile. | Give you tools or dashboards so you stay in control. |
| Charge for services that are free through Google. | Charge for value-added services like cross-platform listing management. |
| Disappear or hold your profile hostage after payment. | Provide ongoing, measurable support with transparency. |
The Bottom Line
If someone calls you claiming to be from “Google support” about your Business Profile, remember: Google will not call you. These scammers prey on urgency and fear to trick business owners into handing over money or control.
Protect yourself by staying skeptical, verifying any claims directly with Google, and partnering only with proven, transparent agencies.
If you’ve been targeted by one of these calls and want real help with your Google Business Profile—or need guidance on managing your listings across platforms—reach out to us at Sharpe Marketing. We’ll make sure your business information is secure, optimized, and visible everywhere it matters.
Thanks a lot for the posting.
Just received the same call, and it was clear it’s a SCAM.
This SCAM number 877-256-8935 is still active
Just recieved the same call. Why doesnt Google go after people for inpersonating them????????
That is clearly against the law.
This company was not stating they were Google. They were stating that they were a Google Partner to help people with their Google Business Profiles. Which there are legit companies out there that do have this badge, but this “company” was not a legitimate Google Partner. And unfortunately the response on help boards just seems to inform people not to fall for these traps.
Thank you for posting this and exposing scammers.
When I called them back and asked who they were, they said “From Google Business Listings”.
I then said, “You’re not Google, who are you?” and they promptly hung up.
Seems legit to me 🙂