We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

logo
  • Engineers & Specifiers
  • Contractors & Installers
  • Wholesalers & Distributors
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Subscription
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • PRODUCTS
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Fire Protection
    • HVAC
    • Hydronics/Radiant
    • Plumbing
    • PVF
    • Tools
  • PROJECTS
    • Commercial
    • Green Building
    • MRO/Retrofit
    • Remodeling
    • Residential
  • HOW TO
    • Design
    • Fire Protection
    • Legal Matters
    • Management
  • BUSINESS
    • Buying Groups
    • Technology
    • Associations
  • CODES & STANDARDS
    • ANSI
    • ASHRAE
    • ASSE
    • Regulations
    • Green Building
    • IAPMO
    • ICC
    • NFPA
  • RESOURCES
    • PROS REPS
    • Media Kit
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Classifieds
    • Digital Editions
    • Behind the Wall
    • Webinars
    • AHR Live 2023
  • PODCASTS
  • DIGITAL EDITIONS
Home » Researchers find 100,000 phony service business listings on Google Maps?

Researchers find 100,000 phony service business listings on Google Maps?

April 17, 2017

Tens of thousands of fake listings are added to Google Maps each month that scam consumers into employing unaccredited contractors, a new study has found.

Google, in collaboration with the University of California, San Diego, has discovered scammers are a setting up their business location at a specific address, but are listing a fake suite number that the U.S. Postal Service has verified.

When a potential victim calls the “contractors” for a service, a representative gives them a cheap price quote – but the contractor coerces them into paying more on site.

The research paper uncovered more than 100,000 scams on Google Maps from June 2014 to September 2015.

More details here.

Source: University of California, San Diego

Business Contractors & Installers Industry Community News
  • Related Articles

    Researchers Find ‘Definite Link’ Between Tainted Flint Water and Legionnaires’ Outbreak

    Facebook tests new site to find top-rated residential service firms

    Researchers urge Flint residents to turn on the taps​

  • Related Products

    Directory Listing - Premium

Most Popular

  • Building a Company Through Teamwork and the Next Generation

  • Hot Water System Design for High-Rise Buildings

  • The DMA Training Wheels Traveling Roadshow

  • General Plumbing Supply: Relationships, Brands, Innovation, and Delivery

Featured Video

Foley video3

Dan Foley on U.S. Boiler Company's Alta Boiler: LP Conversion

Industry Events

  • 24Sep

    IAPMO 94th Annual Education and Business Conference

    San Antonio , TX
  • 28Sep

    2023 ASPE Tech Symposium

    Bellevue, WA
  • 05Oct

    PVF Roundtable TroutBlast Fishing Tournament

More Events

Subscribe to our newsletters & stay updated

Subscribe & Learn More

  • Tw09 2023
    Learn More
  • Pe09 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Phc09 2023 cover
    Learn More
  • Es 2022
    Learn More
Subscribe

More from PHCP Pros

  • Editorial Team
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise

Follow Us

© 2023 All Rights Reserved

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development | ePublishing