Top Tips for Navigating the Google Maps Pin Relocation Scam: Identification and Remedies

Ever had your GPS take you on a wild goose chase? Imagine that happening to your customers thanks to a sneaky Google Maps pin scam. Welcome to the frustrating world of the Google Maps Pin Relocation Scam, where your business’s location gets mysteriously moved, causing headaches and potentially hurting your bottom line. Let’s dive into what this scam is, how to spot it, and, most importantly, how to fix it. Follow these steps to keep your Google Maps listing accurate and secure.

• Google Maps pin relocation scams can harm businesses by misplacing their locations and affecting customer access and reputation.

• Regular monitoring of your business profile and reporting suspicious edits promptly can help protect against unauthorized changes.

• Utilizing Google Maps tools, claiming your business locations, and verifying information are crucial steps in preventing scams and maintaining visibility.

The largest error we see companies make is the set it and forget it mentality that many take with their online listings. Spotting suspicious activity early can make a significant difference in preventing scams. One of the most obvious signs is unusual changes in your business address on Google Maps. If you notice frequent alterations to your location or contact information, this could indicate that someone is manipulating your business listing. It’s essential to keep an eye out for these changes and act quickly to correct them.

Another red flag is edits being made by unverified or new accounts. Scammers often use these types of accounts to make unauthorized changes without drawing too much attention. Monitoring who is making edits to your business profile can help you identify potential threats and take action before any significant damage occurs. Frequently checking your Google Business Page (GBP) and denying suggested edits before they go into effect is the best way to avoid an issue before it affects your bottom line.

Regular online searches and verification of your business information are essential for security reasons. How often is up to you but it can be done relatively quickly. If something doesn’t seem right, investigate further. Protecting your business from scams requires constant vigilance and a proactive approach. Staying alert and catching suspicious activity early helps protect your business from threats.

Regular online searches and verification of your business information are essential for security reasons. How often is up to you but it can be done relatively quickly. If something doesn’t seem right, investigate further. Protecting your business from scams requires constant vigilance and a proactive approach. Staying alert and catching suspicious activity early helps protect your business from threats.

It’s also wise to monitor the IP addresses of devices accessing your business account. If you notice logins from unfamiliar IP's, this could be a sign of unauthorized access. Blocking these IP's and strengthening your security measures can help prevent further tampering. Remember, early detection is key to protecting your business from scams.

Set up alerts in your GMB dashboard to get notified of any changes to your business information. You have the flexibility to choose the types of Business Profile notifications you receive on your mobile device and via email. These notifications can be highly beneficial, keeping you informed when customers post photos or reviews, alerting you to Google’s product updates, and reminding you to maintain an up-to-date profile.

You can opt in to receive notifications for:

• Posts on your Business Profile

• Suggestions to keep your Business Profile current

• Account updates

• New feature announcements

• New followers or bookings (mobile only)

More information can be found in Google's support documentation.

If you suspect that your business profile has been tampered with, it’s vital to act quickly. Google Maps provides a straightforward way to report fraudulent or incorrect listings. Submitting feedback through the platform alerts Google to the issue, starting the correction process for your business information. This is a crucial step in maintaining the integrity of your business profile.

The Google Maps Help Center offers a wealth of resources for different scenarios and guides specifically designed to help business owners address problems like fraudulent edits. These resources can provide valuable information on how to report issues and what steps to take to prevent further tampering. Utilizing these tools can significantly enhance your ability to protect your business.

One effective strategy is to promptly suggest edits to correct the pin location when you suspect tampering. This not only helps to rectify the issue quickly but also signals to Google that you are actively monitoring your business profile. Ensuring that your business information remains accurate and up-to-date is essential in preventing scams from taking hold.

It’s important to remember that reporting fraudulent edits is an ongoing process and being lackadaisical is an easy error to avoid. Regularly checking your business profile and making necessary corrections can help maintain its accuracy. Regularly reporting and correcting fraudulent edits helps maintain the integrity of Google Maps, protecting your business and others as well.

As soon as you notice your pin has been moved, take these steps.

Fix the location manually in your GMB dashboard to get back on the map—literally.

Check the Location: Before taking any action, ensure that the pin has indeed been moved and that the new location is incorrect.

Access Your Account: Go to the Google My Business website (business.google.com) and sign in with the account associated with your business.

Choose the Business: From your GMB dashboard, select the business location that has the incorrect pin.

Edit Info: Click on the "Info" tab on the left-hand menu.

Address Section: In the address section, click the pencil icon to edit the address.

Move the Pin: In the address editing section, you will see a map with a pin. Drag the pin to the correct location. Ensure the pin is accurately placed on the map.

Manual Adjustment: If necessary, you can manually enter the correct coordinates or address to fine-tune the pin’s location.

Confirm: Once the pin is correctly placed, click “Apply” or “Save” to submit the changes.

Google Review: Google may take some time to review and approve the changes. You might receive an email notification once the change is approved.

Check the Map: After a few hours or days, check Google Maps to ensure the pin has been updated to the correct location.

Report a Problem: Report the unauthorized change through your GMB account. Google usually responds quickly to these reports but that is not always the case. There have been horror stories of people waiting for months to get their address fixed so taking preventative steps is always the best action to take. If the manual adjustment doesn’t resolve the issue, or if the pin keeps being moved, you can report the problem directly to Google Maps:

• Go to Google Maps.

• Search for your business.

• Click on your business name in the map or left panel.

• Click on "Suggest an edit" and then "Change name or other details."

• Provide details about the incorrect pin location and submit the report.

* If the above method does not work use an email address not associated with your Google Business Profile and use Suggest an Edit to move the pin. This can help correct misplaced map pins without risking suspension. You may need to ask several people to do the same thing for you from different email addresses. There have been an increased number of reports of Google not responding to business owners when they move their own pin. We know this makes absolutely no sense but it is what it is.

The Google Maps Help Community is a valuable resource for businesses dealing with scams. This platform allows users to ask questions and share information about issues, including scams. Participation in community forums can provide and receive answers on navigating Google Maps-related challenges.

The forums are organized into sections for specific issues, making it easier for businesses to find targeted support. Users can also become Product Experts within the community, enabling them to help others with their knowledge. Reporting suspicious profiles and content helps maintain the integrity of the platform.

Business owners can report violations by third-party profile management agencies. Sometimes it is necessary to get help from a marketing professional that has dealt with similar situations and can guide you through the process or take it off your plate entirely. Additionally, government agencies can be contacted to report scams, providing another layer of assistance.

So, what exactly is this scam? Simply put, it’s when someone moves your business’s location pin on Google Maps without your permission. Why would anyone do this? Well, it’s usually to mislead your customers, harm your business, or divert traffic to a competitor.

Google Maps pin relocation scams are a growing concern for businesses worldwide. Scammers have a mixed bag of tricks up their sleeves. These scamers make changes to a business’s location on Google Maps often through the ‘Suggest an edit’ function on Google Business Profile but that is not their only method. They might hijack your GMB account or even use bots to automate the process.

For many business owners, the first sign of trouble is a noticeable drop in foot traffic, phone calls, or online engagement on their web sites. Often, damage has already occurred to the point of a modest loss of revenue by the time they notice something is amiss. The consequences of these unauthorized changes can be far-reaching, affecting not only customer access but also the business’s reputation and search engine rankings.

Knowing how these scams operate helps in safeguarding your business. Scammers typically use fake or unverified accounts to suggest edits, relocating businesses to obscure or incorrect addresses. This can mislead customers and divert traffic to competitors or fraudulent entities. Recognizing the signs of these scams and taking proactive measures can help safeguard your business from such malicious activities.

The impact of these scams is not just limited to small businesses; even large companies can fall victim. This highlights the importance of regular monitoring and verification of your business’s online presence. By staying informed and vigilant, you can mitigate the risks and ensure your customers always find you where they expect.

Taking proactive steps to protect your business profile is essential in preventing unauthorized changes. One of the first things you should do is claim all your business locations for each of your different locations on Google Maps. This prevents others from making unauthorized edits and ensures that you have control over your business information.

Verification is another critical step. Verifying your business signals to Google that your business is legitimate, which can enhance your visibility in search results. This process also helps to prevent unauthorized changes, as only verified users can make significant edits to the business profile.

Limiting access to your business profile is also crucial. Only essential personnel should have access to avoid the risk of it being compromised. Retain ownership access, even if you use third-party managers for your profile. This ensures that you maintain control over your business information and can quickly address any issues that arise. If you are working with a marketing company or a freelancer that has access, and you part ways and are no longer are working with them, make sure you revoke their access to make sure they have been blocked from making further changes.

We have said this before and will say it again, and again, and again. Proactive monitoring is a very effective strategy. Set up alerts for any modifications to your listings, so you are immediately notified of any changes. This should be your default tool that will allow you to quickly identify and correct unauthorized edits, minimizing the impact on your business. Be cautious of unsolicited requests to manage your business profile, as these could be scams.

Using strong passwords and enabling 2-Step Verification are essential practices for securing your Google account. This adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for scammers to gain access.

Google is continuously improving its detection systems to combat the escalating scam activities globally. Probably not as fast as we would like but at least they are working on it and to be fair they have a huge issue to deal with. One of the key advancements in this area is the use of artificial intelligence to identify and block fraudulent activities. Features like the expanded functionalities of Gemini AI are designed to enhance user protection.

Gemini Nano, a solution tailored for Android devices, provides real-time alerts for identified scam indicators, allowing businesses to take immediate action. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized changes and helps maintain the integrity of business profiles.

The scale of the problem is significant. In 2024, Hiya received more than 2,000 reports of Google Business Profile scams each month. In response, Google has blocked more than 100 million fraudulent edits in previous years, showcasing their commitment to combating these scams but for many of us, especially people still being affected by these scams, this is just a drop in the bucket.

These efforts highlight the importance of staying vigilant and utilizing the tools and resources available to protect your business. Google’s ongoing improvements in security measures are designed to help businesses safeguard their profiles, but individual vigilance and proactive steps are equally crucial in preventing scams.

In summary, Google Maps pin relocation scams pose a significant threat to businesses, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can protect your business profile. Understanding how these scams operate and identifying suspicious activity early are crucial steps in safeguarding your business. Reporting fraudulent edits and using Google Maps tools for verification can help maintain accurate information.

Google’s continuous efforts to combat scams through advanced technologies like artificial intelligence provide additional layers of protection. However, individual vigilance and proactive measures remain essential. By following best practices and leveraging community resources, you can ensure that your business remains safe and accessible to your customers.

Staying informed and taking action can make all the difference in protecting your business from scams. Remember, your business’s online presence is a valuable asset, and safeguarding it should always be a priority.

Do you have a story about how your business has been affected by the Google Maps Pin Relocation Scam? We are interested in hearing the details of the different types of actions you took to rectify the situation. What did you decide to do to report the fraud? Were you able to locate the source of the edit? Did it impact your site traffic or the value of the services you were able to provide to your customers? We want to create a more in depth resource with data that will matter both for consumers and companies to clean up Google maps.

A Google Maps pin relocation scam happens when someone illegally changes a business's location on the map, which can confuse customers and hurt the business financially. It's a sneaky tactic that you should definitely be aware of!

To spot suspicious activity on your Google Business Profile, keep an eye out for unexpected changes to your address or contact info, edits from unverified accounts, and any unfamiliar login IP addresses.

If you suspect fraudulent edits on your profile, it's best to report them through Google Maps and utilize the resources in the Google Maps Help Center to suggest corrections. Jump to the section in this article titled "Steps to Correct a Moved Google Maps Pin" for detailed step by step instructions.

To protect your business profile from unauthorized changes, claim and verify all locations, limit access to only essential personnel, and set up alerts for any modifications. Using strong passwords and enabling 2-Step Verification are also key steps to secure your profile.

You can rely on the Google Maps Help Community and dedicated forums for specific issues to tackle scams. Don't forget to use reporting mechanisms for any suspicious profiles you come across.