This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.
(WTTV/WXIN) — Google is making it easier for people to regain control of their phone numbers that were stolen by scammers and attached to Google Voice accounts and used for spam calls.
Last year, the Identity Theft Resource Center reported about 4,000 complaints from people who had their phone numbers hijacked by crooks.That made up about 61% of all identity theft reports they received.
Google Voice is popular among scammers because it allows you to make international calls. However, you have to have a valid phone number attached to the account, so bad guys have been stealing phone numbers to make their crooked calls.
Victims suddenly start getting angry calls and text messages from people telling them to stop contacting them even though they’re not the ones making the call with their number.
Scammers usually steal phone numbers by posing as interested buyers and sellers in online marketplaces.Then they try to convince you to share your Google verification code in order to attach your phone number to a Google Voice account.
If this has happened to you or someone you know, Google has a process to regain control of the number.
Go online to “Google Voice Help,” scroll down and click on “protect your verification code.” Scroll down again and click on “disconnect your number from Google Voice.”
The next page says “take your number back.” That’s where you can enter your phone number and click on “send the code.” Google will text you the code, and once you enter that on the website, you’re done.
At that point, your number should be disconnected from Google Voice services and the bad guys can’t use it anymore.Even if this hasn’t happened to you, it’s still a good reminder to never share your Google verification code with somebody you don’t know.
FAQs
You'll need to know the number that the scammer is using. Input that information and then verify your number by sending a code to your mobile phone or by having Google call you with a code. Once you correctly enter the code, you can click Verify. You'll then be given the option to reclaim it by clicking Claim.
What happens if a scammer gets your Google Voice number? ›
If a scammer gets your Google Voice verification code they can potentially commit other crimes concealing their identity while linked to your personal data.
How do I reclaim my number from Google Voice? ›
In the Google Voice number field, click Change. Number source. Make sure Recently Released box is checked and click Apply. (Optional) In the Search field, enter the number that you want to reclaim and click Search.
What happens if someone uses my phone number for Google Voice? ›
Lastly, the scammer can also use your Google Voice number to scam other people, by pretending to be you or someone else. They can also access your personal information, such as your contacts, messages, and voicemails, that are linked to your Google Voice account.
How do I take my number off Google Voice? ›
Delete your Google Voice number
- On your computer, open Google Voice.
- Sign in with the Google Account you used to register your number.
- At the top right, click Settings .
- On the left, click Account.
- Under “Google Voice number,” find the number you want to delete.
- Click Delete. Delete number.
When you use Google Voice to call someone, the recipient will not see your actual phone number unless you've chosen to display it in your Google Voice settings. Instead, they will see the Google Voice number you're calling from. This feature allows for an extra layer of privacy.
How do I check if my number is linked to Google Voice? ›
Sign in to your Google Account. In the top right, click Settings . Under Account, the number listed is your Voice number. If no Voice number is shown, it means Voice isn't set up for this Google Account.
How do I contact Google Voice customer service? ›
If Customer is unhappy with Google Voice, Customer should contact Google Voice Customer Care at https://support.google.com/a/contact/gsuite_voice_complaints .
Can I get my phone number back? ›
Yes, in many cases, you can retrieve your phone number by contacting your last service provider.
What happens when you delete a Google Voice number? ›
What to Know When Deleting a Google Voice Number. Once your number is deleted, you can't receive calls or text messages on the number. You can still view your call and message history, though. After deleting a number, if that was the only number in your account, you have up to 90 days to reclaim that number if you want ...
Hide your caller ID for all calls
Open the Google Voice app . Settings. Under “Calls,” turn on Anonymous caller ID . If you want to show your phone number to people you call, turn off Anonymous caller ID .
What can a scammer do with your Voice? ›
A scammer can call and ask a couple questions while recording your answers. With just a few sentences, they can take what you said and turn it into anything they want you to say. “You take a piece of audio, you analyze the audio, you basically put together words," Palmer said.
How secure is my Google Voice number? ›
Data is encrypted in transit from a Google Voice client to Google, and when stored at rest. When you record a voicemail greeting on Google Voice, or when you leave a voicemail for others, your audio data is stored. Texts, calls, and voicemails are synced across your devices.
What happens if you receive a verification code without requesting it? ›
If you have received an unrequested verification, it could be that someone may have had your phone number listed in their account or simply used it to receive a verification code in error. Or it could be someone intentionally trying to hack into your account.
