The Constant Ringing That Nearly Killed His Small Business
Last summer, Ali, a mechanic from Rawalpindi, almost shut down his garage—not because of a lack of customers, but because of too many fake calls. Every hour, he’d get a robotic voice saying:
“Your Google listing is about to expire. Press 1 to verify.”
By August 2024, he’d received over 60 spam calls per week. Like thousands of small business owners, he became a victim of Google Business Profile (GBP) robocall scams — a rising issue in 2025.
If you’re tired of the fake verifications, pushy sales, or fraudsters pretending to be “Google representatives,” this blog has your back.
Why Are Google Business Spam Calls Still a Problem in 2025?
Despite Google’s efforts, scam callers have evolved with AI and spoofing tools. According to a 2025 Spam & Privacy Report:
- 📞 Over 35% of small business owners receive fake Google calls weekly
- 🤖 More than 78% of these calls are AI-generated robocalls
- ⚠️ Only 3% of calls claiming to be “from Google” are legitimate
That’s why knowing how to identify, block, and report these calls is crucial to protecting your business.
1. Know What Google Actually Calls For
🔒 Google will NEVER call to ask for payment or threaten account suspension.
Here’s when Google may contact you:
- Confirming a Business Profile you submitted
- Scheduling a video verification
- Asking for more info after a policy violation
✅ These calls are human, not automated, and they’ll never pressure or scare you.
2. Common Red Flags of GBP Scam Calls
Watch for these telltale signs:
- 🚫 “Your listing will be deleted if you don’t press 1”
- 💳 “You must pay a fee to remain on Google Maps”
- 🗣️ Robot voice or AI-generated agent
- 📵 No callback number or spoofed local numbers
- 🧑💼 “This is John from Google Support” (Google doesn’t say this!)
🎯 Tip: Ask for their email and Google employee ID — they won’t have one.
3. Use Call Blocking & Filtering Tools
🔧 Tools to stop spam calls:
- Truecaller: Identifies spam calls in real time
- Hiya: Blocks robocalls and flags AI calls
- Google Pixel Call Screen: AI assistant screens unknown calls
- Nomorobo or RoboKiller: Paid tools that block scam robocalls
- iOS/Android Spam Filter Settings: Silence unknown callers feature
4. Register on the “Do Not Call” List (Yes, It Still Works)
In many countries, registering your business number on the national Do Not Call registry can significantly reduce unwanted marketing or robocalls.
✅ Use these official resources:
- USA: National Do Not Call Registry – donotcall.gov
- UK: Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
- Canada: Canadian Do Not Call List (DNCL)
🔁 Be sure to renew or confirm your registration annually — some registries expire after a year or two.
📌 Note: While these registries won’t block all robocalls, they dramatically cut down the number and provide you legal grounds to report repeat offenders.
5. Report the Spam to Google Directly
📩 Google has a form for reporting scam calls misusing their name.
How to report a scammer:
- Go to: Report a Robocall Pretending to Be Google
- Fill out call details (time, number, what was said)
- Google investigates and blacklists numbers where possible
📌 Bonus: Report the number on Truecaller to alert others.
6. Change Your Public Number (Last Resort)
If the spam becomes unbearable and you’ve tried everything:
- Get a new number for public listings
- Forward your old number temporarily
- Use a virtual receptionist service or AI call screener
Pro tip:
Set up a WhatsApp Business number and redirect calls to chat for better filtering.
7. Educate Your Staff and Customers
If you run a team:
- Train staff to not give out personal or login info on calls
- Add a note in your Google Business description: “We never accept GBP verifications or payments over the phone.”
If your customers are being contacted:
- Add a PSA on your website or receipts like: “If someone calls claiming to represent our business or Google, please verify with us directly.”
8. Use Google Business Messaging Instead of Phone
Tired of calls altogether? Shift the communication to chat.
- Turn on Google Business Messages
- Set automated replies for FAQs
- Offer a WhatsApp Business chat button
- List email as primary contact where possible
📊 Businesses that switch to GBP messaging see 40% fewer spam interactions and a +22% increase in qualified leads
Real-Life: What Ali Did to Stop the Spam
Back to our mechanic, Ali…
He:
- Installed Truecaller and Hiya
- Registered on PTA’s Do Not Call Registry
- Updated his Google listing to remove his direct number
- Turned on GBP messaging and added a WhatsApp chat button
Within 3 weeks, he saw a 95% drop in spam calls — and a 20% increase in real bookings via chat.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Spam Hijack Your Business
Google Business spam calls are annoying, but you’re not powerless. By recognizing red flags, using tech tools, and reporting consistently, you can shut down scammers and protect your focus, time, and brand.
✅ GBP Spam Call Protection Checklist for 2025
- Register on Do Not Call Registry
- Use call-blocking tools like Truecaller/Hiya
- Report spam to Google
- Enable GBP Messaging and/or WhatsApp
- Educate team and add notices
- Switch to a virtual or chat-first contact method
📌 Need help cleaning up your Google Business listing or switching to a spam-free setup? Let’s get your local growth back — minus the robocalls.
