Last Updated on October 30, 2026
Google does sometimes call businesses, usually to check details on a Google Business Profile. But Google says it will not ask you to sign up for a service, pay money or give personal information on those calls. It also says it will never ask for payment details over the phone or guarantee you a special spot. A caller offering a top position on Google for a fee is not Google.
These calls have been a complaint in UK business forums for well over a decade. Owners report callers who say they are “from Google”, offer page one, then push a contract. Google’s own advice is clear, but its reporting steps point to US bodies. This guide gives the UK route.
What a real Google call looks like
According to Google’s Business Profile help page on fraud:
- Automated calls come from a set of designated numbers. Sometimes a real person calls instead.
- You will hear that the call is from Google and why they are calling.
- You will not be asked to sign up for a service, pay money or give personal information.
- Google will never ask for payment information over the phone or guarantee you a special spot in its products.
For messages, Google says WhatsApp messages from it show a blue tick and the name “Google Maps”, and RCS messages show a blue tick and the name “Google”.
The warning signs
- The caller says they work “with” Google or “for” Google. Google lists this as a common line.
- They offer a guaranteed first-page or top position.
- They ask for card details, a direct debit or a signature on the call.
- They say your listing will be removed or “deactivated” unless you act now.
- They ask you to “verify your details” for a directory, then a form or invoice follows. Action Fraud lists this as a sign of business directory fraud.
What to do on the call
Google’s advice is to hang up, and not to press any buttons, because pressing buttons can lead to more calls. Do not agree to anything on the phone. If you are unsure, end the call and check your Business Profile yourself by signing in to your own Google account.
How to report it in the UK
- Report it to Google using the webform linked from its fraud help page. Include the caller’s company name, number and any emails they sent.
- Report it to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud, online or on 0300 123 2040, especially if you paid or signed anything.
- Tell your bank straight away if you gave card or bank details.
Google’s page lists US reporting routes such as the FTC. Those are for the United States. UK businesses should use Action Fraud.
The mistake most businesses make
They take the call because they are worried about their listing. A worried owner is easier to sell to. Your Google Business Profile is managed by you, from your own account. Nobody needs to phone you to keep it live.
Questions people ask
Does Google call businesses?
Sometimes. Google’s help page says automated calls come from designated numbers and sometimes from a manual operator, and that the caller will say they are from Google and why. Google says you will not be asked to pay money or sign up for a service.
Will Google ever ask me to pay over the phone?
No. Google says it will never ask for payment information over the phone or guarantee you a special spot in its products. A caller asking for payment is not Google.
How do I report a fake Google call in the UK?
Report it to Google through the webform on its Business Profile fraud help page, and to Action Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040. If you gave card or bank details, contact your bank straight away.
Can someone guarantee my business a top spot on Google?
No. Google says it never guarantees a special spot, and its guidance on hiring an SEO says no one can guarantee a number one ranking.
The takeaway
Google will not phone you to sell you Google. If the call ends with a price, a contract or a card number, hang up and report it.
Want an honest view of how your business shows up on Google and the AI engines? Run the free Visibility Check. No email, no sales call.
