If you are thinking about using the Google Voice service then it is better to get acquainted with the Google Voice Scam. Thousands of people are being tricked by the scammers using the Google Voice Scam. Let’s discover how this scam can be identified and avoided.
With improved technology, lives of people have simplified while many others are using the technology in negative way for their own benefit. Thousands of scamming websites are active on internet that trick innocent people to meet their purposes.
So, it is better to know the flip side of every resource. Furthermore, internet users should also be aware about the essential information to prevent such scams.
Currently scammers are trying to hijack your phone numbers and other credentials using the Google Voice Scam. This scam is typically associated with a website in the United States, named as Craigslist. This website mainly posts about jobs, housing, services, items for sale, wanted items, discussion forums and more. Here is more about this scam. Keep reading!
What Is Google Voice Scam
Google Voice Scam is a misleading activity that is associated with the Google Voice service. For the users who haven’t used the Google Voice service, it is a service for Gmail users which enables the users to make and receive calls free of cost.
It also provides services of text messaging and call forwarding – all without charging a penny. This service was made available for users in the year 2009. But due to advanced smart phones and messenger applications, this service fell behind.
As less people are using this service, scammers have found it as an opportunity. Using the Google Voice Scam, scammers can hijack your number and they can reach all your important credentials using your number.
They may also scam other people using your name and later you will find no trace to prove your innocence. This scam is also known as “Google Voice Code Verification” scam. Every single person who has ever displayed their phone number publicly on the Internet can fall prey to these scammers.
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I Fell For A Google Voice Scam
Most of the times, the scammers will reach you through Craigslist. It is website that posts about jobs, housing, services, items for sale, wanted items and discussion forums. Scammers will reach you, pretending to be a buyer.
After gaining your trust and making you believe about their authenticity, they will ask you to open up a message with a six digit number. Upon sending the six digit number, your phone number will be hijacked.
In some cases, the scammer will contact you pretending to be working for the Craigslist site. They will ask you to verify your number, by sending back the code received on your number. To not get troubled with such scams, always remember that Craigslist does not initiate calls for registered users nor would they ask you to verify any ad or comment.
Another important thing to consider is the text message that you receive with the six digit code is sent by Google to finalize creating a new account. Once you disclose the code, they will be able to create a new Google voice account using your name.
After this you won’t hear from the scammer and upon opening your Google voice account you will receive the following message,
“Please note that the forwarding number (XXX) XXX-XXXX was deleted from your Google Voice account ([email protected]). Because it was claimed and verified by another Google Voice user. If you still want this forwarding number on your account and believe this was an error, please click here to learn more.”
Bottom Line
This was all about the Google Voice scam. If you ever fall prey to these scammers, the very first thing you should consider is to recover your number back as soon as possible.