Recent Google sales calls are a scam
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MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is asking Wisconsin residents and businesses to be on the lookout for scam sales calls falsely claiming to come from Google.
The pre-recorded messages claim to be selling advertisements in products such as Google Maps. Consumers and businesses who have reported these calls to DATCP note that the calls are fairly constant, even after they have asked a live representative to take them off their contact lists.
As with many other scam robocall operations, the receiver is asked to press a key to reach a representative or another key to be taken off the call list. It is in your best interest to simply hang up if you receive this call, as hitting any keys will mark your number as “live” in the scammer’s system and will likely lead to increased contacts.
Google has posted a warning about these operations on their website and provides the following advice to consumers:
• Google does not place robocalls.
• Google does not call to “update your front page listing” or ask you to “claim your free website.”
• Google does not charge for inclusion in Google Search or Places.
For additional information or to file a complaint, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at datcp.wisconsin.gov, call the Consumer Information Hotline at 800-422-7128 or send an e-mail to datcphotline@wisconsin.gov.
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