- If you are looking to buy or sell anything online, you should be aware of the Google Voice scam. Scammers are posing as interested buyers and sellers on online marketplaces. They are trying to steal your personal information to create a fake Google Voice account in your name.
- The criminals act like interested buyers and try to convince you to share your Google verification code with them. They use your legitimate U.S.-based phone number to get a U.S. number through Google Voice to make it look like they are calling from the U.S.
- One of the many twists the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) has seen includes identity criminals using animals and rent posts to get Google verification codes. The ITRC has received reports of people selling puppies, looking for lost pets, and renting out rooms getting calls asking to provide the Google Voice verification code to prove they are legitimate.
- To completely avoid a Google Voice verification scam, only do business in person with verified funds. Take your time while selling items online. If someone asks you to share a verification code with them, don’t do it.
- If you fall victim to a Google Voice scam, you should disconnect your number. Click here to learn more.
- For more information on the Google Voice verification scam, or if you believe you are a victim, contact the ITRC at no cost by phone (888.400.5530) or live-chat on the company website idtheftcenter.org
Watch our step-by-step video tutorial first on how to reclaim your Google Voice number. (NOTE: The steps to discontinue your number have been modified. See below for more.)
Are you trying to buy or sell items online? If so, you should be aware of the Google Voice scam, a scam that hijacks people’s phone numbers to trick others. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) continues to see a large rise in the scam.
In 2021, the ITRC received 3,926 contacts regarding the Google Voice scam, 53 percent of the total number of scam contacts. In 2022, 61 percent (4,081) of people who contacted the ITRC about scams were the victims of a Google Voice scam.
The Better Business Bureau reports that identity criminals are stealing phone numbers from people selling items online (like the Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist), getting their Google verification codes, and creating new Google Voice phone numbers tied to the victim. Identity criminals are even targeting people who don’t have a Google Voice account.
While the twists on the Google Voice scam continue to change, some twists include identity criminals targeting our furry friends, those using dating apps, as well as anyone selling an item online. The ITRC has received reports of people “selling puppies,” “looking for lost pets,” “selling an item online” and “renting out a room” in hopes of stealing Google verification codes, just to name a few examples. If you are looking to buy or sell online, or are on a dating app, it is vital you are aware of the scam. Even if you are not, you should know what to do if you encounter it.
Who are the Targets?
People posting or selling items online
What is the Scam?
There are many different twists to the Google Voice scam:
- Scammers Look for Posts Online: Scammers look for people selling items online and then message them as if they are an interested buyer. The criminals proceed to have a Google verification code sent to the seller. They then ask the seller to share the code to verify that they are a real seller. However, it is a Google Voice scam, and the scammer is looking for the victim to share the code with them so they can use it to create a new Google Voice phone number tied to the seller. They then proceed to scam other people using the victim’s name while remaining undetected.
- Scammers Post as Buyers Online: In one twist identified by ITRC contact center advisors, identity criminals create posts and advertisem*nts online. In this twist, the criminal creates a post or advertisem*nt to sell an item, rent a room or look for a lost pet. The victim reaches out because they are interested and the criminal requests a Google voice code.
- Scammers Target People Who Do Not Have a Google Voice Account: The ITRC has also received reports from victims who claim not to have a Google Voice account, which is most people who contact the Center. In this scenario, scammers set up a Google Voice account. They then link it to the phone number of the person they call. Finally, they create a fake post selling the same items as a legitimate seller.
What They Want
Scammers are after your Google Voice phone number and information so they can create another Google Voice account to scam other people with it.
How to Avoid Being Scammed
- When possible, only do business in person paid in verified funds.
- Take your time while buying or selling online. If someone asks you to share a Google verification code with them, don’t do it (which is instructed by Google) because it is likely a Google Voice scam
What to do if You’ve Given Away Your Google Voice Verification Code
- If you do fall victim to the Google Voice verification scam, you should disconnect your number.
- Go to https://support.google.com/voice/answer/9177797 and scroll down to the section labeled “Disconnect your number from Google Voice”. Click on “disconnect your number” at the end of the first sentence, which will take you to a page that says “Take your number back”.
- Enter the phone number you want to remove from Google Voice on the take your number back page and click “Send the code”. It will send a verification code to your phone via text message.
- Enter the verification code once you receive it. You will be notified that your number has been removed
If you have additional questions about the Google Voice scam, believe you were a victim of the scam, or were a victim of identity theft, contact us. You can speak with an ITRC expert advisor toll-free by phone (888.400.5530) or live-chat on our website. Just visit www.idtheftcenter.org to get started.
The post was originally published on 7/14/21 and was updated on 6/1/23
As an expert in online scams and identity theft, I can attest to the increasing sophistication and prevalence of scams targeting individuals engaged in buying and selling activities on online marketplaces. The Google Voice scam, as described in the article, is a particularly insidious form of identity theft where scammers pose as buyers or sellers to trick individuals into revealing their Google Voice verification codes.
The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) plays a crucial role in documenting and addressing these scams. The ITRC has observed various twists in the Google Voice scam, including scammers using posts related to animals, lost pets, and rental listings to obtain verification codes. This demonstrates the adaptability and creativity of identity criminals in exploiting different scenarios to achieve their malicious goals.
One key aspect highlighted in the article is the method employed by scammers to use legitimate U.S.-based phone numbers to create fake Google Voice accounts, making it appear as though they are calling from the U.S. This adds an additional layer of deception and underscores the importance of vigilance for individuals engaged in online transactions.
The article provides valuable advice on how to avoid falling victim to the Google Voice scam. It emphasizes the importance of conducting in-person transactions with verified funds whenever possible. Additionally, users are cautioned against sharing their Google verification codes, as scammers exploit this information to create new Google Voice accounts in the victim's name.
The statistics provided by the ITRC regarding the increase in Google Voice scam reports over the years highlight the growing threat and prevalence of this particular form of identity theft. The article also mentions the Better Business Bureau's insights into identity criminals stealing phone numbers from individuals selling items online, further emphasizing the need for heightened awareness among online users.
In the event that someone becomes a victim of the Google Voice scam, the article provides clear steps to disconnect the compromised number from Google Voice. This practical advice, coupled with the ITRC's contact information, offers victims a resource to seek assistance and guidance in the aftermath of such scams.
In conclusion, the Google Voice scam is a significant and evolving threat in the realm of online fraud, and individuals must remain vigilant and informed to protect themselves from falling prey to these malicious activities.
