Google Maps Scam: AI-Generated Photos Hijack Business Listings

Scammers are using Google Maps' contributor program to upload AI-generated photos with fake phone numbers, tricking users into calling the wrong number. This scam is being used across dozens of Google Business Profile listings, with scammers reporting them to Google without any apparent consequences.

The scam involves uploading AI-generated images with a business's name and a fake phone number that doesn't belong to the business. These photos are then prominently displayed on the Google Business Profile listing, making it difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and fake information.

Naomi Stevens reported this issue in a LinkedIn group, where she mentioned that a Google Maps contributor had uploaded AI-generated images with a phone number that didn't belong to the business. The contributor had made over 150 photo contributions to unrelated businesses across the US, all with the same incorrect phone number.

Stevens' client reported the issue to Google and contacted their support team, but received unhelpful responses. This has led some to speculate that scammers are relying on the fact that Google's spam team may not be responding quickly enough to remove these fake listings.