Watch Out for Fake Google Business Listings
If you are looking for a HVAC repairman, a plumber, an electrician, a garage door repair company, or any other service, better be careful because there are a lot of fake business listings in Google maps.
Fake Garage door repair business listings
Google has been cracking down on fake business listings since 2017 but the problem still persists until today.
In 2018 alone, Google removed more than three million fake business listings but, somehow, scammers still manage to hijack search results for services like plumbing, electrician, garage door repair, towing and other services where the “service man” has to visit your house or go to your current location to perform the “service”
In an article published by the Wall Street Journal in June of 2019, a 67-year-old homeowner who found out that her garage door was stuck took to Google and found a local repair service she had used before.
Lucky? Not!
It turned out that the name of the legit business was hijacked by a shoddy repairman and put his own phone number in it.
The unsuspecting homeowner was charged $728 for a repair that was so bad it had to be redone.
On June 26, Joy Hawkins posted on twitter “Garage door spam on Google Maps is out of control. I just looked at a SERP where 4/20 of the top listings were real businesses.”
To which Danny Sullivan, Public Liaison for Search in Google, replied “Yep. We’re aware. I passed along earlier feedback, and I think we should see some improvements to better deal with this coming in the very near future.”
Fake Plumber Listings
In the same article from The Wall Street Journal, it showed that a search for plumbers in New York City generated 13 false addresses out of the top 20 Google Maps search results.
It may take some time before Google finally puts a stop to this very bad practice but, judging by Mr. Danny Sullivan’s reply, they (Google) are doing what they can to bring down fake business listings.
How to spot a fake business listing?
The thought of having a scammer come to your house and posing as a repairman is extremely scary. What if he’s not just out to scam you for a couple of hundred bucks? What is he’s planning something more sinister and is just waiting for the right victim?
Even though Google is tracking them, it is nearly impossible to spot every fake business listing that is created every single day. Plus, what’s stopping these scammers from posting new listings after their fake listing is removed? It’s a never ending process and Google needs all the help they can get.
There are tell-tale signs that suggests a listing may be fake.
1.The business name is a keyword instead of an actual business name like;
-
- Garage Door Repair + City
- City + Garage Door Repair
- Or Affordable + keyword, The Best + Keyword, and the likes.
Unless, of course, it really is their business name or trade name which is highly unlikely.
2. The address does not exist or they do not have an office at the listed address. You may need to use Google maps for this or actually drive to the address if you are suspicious of a business listing.
You’d be surprised to find that some of these fake addresses are abandoned buildings, residential apartments, or has a totally different business in it.
3. They answer the phone with a different business name.
4. The same phone number is used in multiple listings in different locations.
5. Very few (mostly fake) or even zero customer reviews.
Google’s spam redressal form
To report a fraudulent listing, fill out Google’s spam redressal form.
According to Google My Business expert, Ben Fisher, it is advisable to use the “Suggest an edit” first and lodge your complaint from there before submitting a redressal form.
This is because “Suggest an edit” is a machine learning mechanism and your input helps the AI decide what type of listings should be removed from Google Maps.
How to avoid getting scammed
For the most part, people get scammed because they did not do their research prior to scheduling a service. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t need to do but, unfortunately, there are a lot of scammers out there and Google has become one of their avenues in luring victims.
You can avoid becoming a victim by doing these things before committing to any service
- Read reviews. Most legitimate businesses have a lot of reviews and they are almost always a mix of good and bad reviews. If they have few reviews and all of them are great. That could be a bad sign. Also, check if the business owner is replying to reviews.
- Check out their website. Though there are scammers who invest in great looking websites, most of them just patch up a website in a hurry and use Google’s free website.
- Call them. Most often than not, you can immediately tell if they are legit or not once you get them on the phone. For one, they’re business name may be different than what is listed in Google Maps so they will be greeting you with a different business name or they may just say “hello”.
- Check out their address in Google Maps (street view). You should see a store front if they really have an office in that address.
Fighting scammers is a collective effort and we can all do our share in making the community safe. Your first priority is not to fall victim to these scammers and second, to report any fraudulent Google business listing you may find.
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REDEEMWhat Are Customers Are Saying
We were happy with prompt dispatching of Serviceman -Gene Arnell to repair our garage door. Gene did a fine job but my biggest concern was that we were not informed of your two spring special. We ended up paying a total of $500 for installing two spring replacement, new rod that holds the springs and a bracket for the one car garage door, which Gene recommended we should have it replaced to avoid future repairs. I had texted for help in my neighborhood and it seems that a garage door specialist lives in our neighborhood, and his cost would have been lower. I look for integrity, good workmanship & reasonable pricing for any repair service at my house. Everyone I talked to after the repairs mentioned that the cost was steep for the work involved. We had no alternative but to get the repairs done immediately since our cars were locked in the garage so I feel I should bring this to your attention.
Show MoreRohinton Panthaky
Garage Door Medics are awesome! From the minute I picked up the phone to when the technician arrived I was fully informed and taken care of. They told me that they would send an email confirmation of my appointment...and they did!. They told me my technician would call a half hour ahead of when he would arrive...and he did! They told me they could make my door a whole quieter and smoother...and it is! They are a five star company all the way. I would highly recommend them to anyone I know and anyone reading this. btw - They actually fixed my door better than new. I bought a brand new house and dealt with the "pterodactyl" (that's what I used to call my garage door) for six years and then I called them up and it is nearly silent now. It turns out the builder who put my door in used a low grade subcontractor who did a bad install on my home and all of my neighbors. I have referred the Garage Door Medics to all of my neighbors. I can hardly walk my dogs without a neighbor seeing me and thanking me for that referral...You’re welcome!
Show MoreNoah Taylor
great service. friendly, knowledge service man.on time arrival. reasonable price.
Show MoreUrsula S. Moede
I had a torsion spring break on my garage door. Contacted Garage Door Medics through their website and setup an appointment via a timely email exchange. Jeff arrived first-thing Saturday morning to do the repair. A thorough inspection, professional service, and answered all of my questions. Jeff even attempted to use 2 less springs to reduce cost. Will certainly use them again in the future.
Show MoreSean Gardinier
Below you will find a review I wrote a few weeks ago based on the UT Deal and my experience with their service. A few days after I was contacted by the company's marketing manager and he admitted it was totally his fault for not indicating they can't service a "home owner style door" or technically called a "tension spring door". I was surprised to be contacted in result of my review but the representative was very understanding and that they should have put the verbiage on their advertisement in the first place. He indicated that all future advertising will say they what they can and can’t service. To help remedy the situation he gave me some reimbursement options to ensure satisfactory and to retain any future business. I must say this would not have happened if it was an under par company. Any ordinary Joe Smoe company would just have over looked the review and blown it off. Their type of service definitely says something about the type of company they really are how they do business. They really want to make sure ALL of their customers are happy. Based on my final experience they stand up to their reputation as a leader in their marketplace. I would recommend them in the future based on their great customer service. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I paid $39 for a checkup and service promotion offer they had through UT San Diego. The value was said to be worth $89. The guy came out to inspect my door and said he had been in the garage door business for 17 years. Upon his inspection he indicated I had a "homeowner" style door and to save up $815 for a new one. He sprayed a little silicon on the rollers that took no longer than 3 minutes and said that's all he could do. There was no improvement from his services, the door works EXACTLY the same as before he came out. I feel like they basically robbed me for $39 and I would not recommend their services to anyone. If they are going to put out promos like this they need to indicate they can't help anyone with a "homeowner" style door so other people aren't taken like I was.
Show MoreJon Austin
Overall service was excellent. We had a broken garage door torsion spring. Jordan arrived within a few hours of our call. He replaced both springs and lubricated the entire garage door. He also replaced a couple of broken hinges. A little pricey at $400 but the last set of springs lasted 10 years.
Show MoreJohn Helfrick
One day our garage door remote openers would not work. So, I called Garage Door Mechanics. They said they could be there the next day between 10 am and 2 pm. About 10 am Jacob called and said he was on his way. He fixed the remotes and checked the opener to make sure it was working properly. He made a few adjustments and lubed the gear and was done. I am completely satisfied with Jacob's work. He was courteous and very professional. I would recommend Garage Door Mechanics to anyone. Thanks Jacob. Good job!!
Show MoreRichard Hunt
Awesome Company! We have done business with GDM on 2 occasions so far and each time the technicians have been extremely knowledgeable, courteous and are not in it for the money, but for customer satisfaction. A satisfied customer is a repeat customer - that's why we won't be calling any other company for our garage door needs! Thanks Jeff and Joel, as well as the whole GDM company!
Show MoreV Snyder
I took advantage of a timely garage door "tune-up" on offer through Angie's list. The technician, Joel, very quickly assessed two broken hinges and offered to order them and service the door when the parts came in. As promised, I received a follow-up call to schedule service. Joel explained what he was doing to service the door and why, and, further, what I could do to keep the door operating optimally. I really liked that. I will definitely use Garage Medic for any future service work and happily refer them to my friends and neighbors.
Show MoreJean M. Carlo
The Garage Door Medics were prompt, kind, and efficient. The took care of our garage door expertly. I would recommend them to everyone! Great Job.
Show MoreRebecca Gilleran
These are the guys you want to call when you have a garage door problem. Fast, courteous, knowledgeable, and just plain cool. A really top-notch local business.
Show MoreChristopher Murphy
Eric Murphy was very professional and went beyond the call of duty! I was very satisfied with my experience and I would highly recommend your business to my family and friends! Thank you!
Show MoreKaren Bucher
Our garage door needed a tune up, as it had been a while. The tech noticed that the springs that were on the door weren't correct, and was able to get the right springs installed as part of the tune-up. They showed up on time, got the work done quickly and our door is much happier.
Show MoreTom Perrine
Garage Door Medics did a great, quality and on time job. We are fully satisfied as customer of Garage Door Medics....Thank you and keep up the good work
Show MoreMac Elsayeh
Did a tune up. I didn't think it would do much, but boy did it ever, much quieter. He showed up on time. The only drawback was that we were scheduled twice and a second person was going to come out when we were already seen.
Show MoreTom Dean