Scammers using Google to target unsuspecting business owners

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Business owners beware, you are now the target of scammers claiming to be from Google.

Most us use Google without thinking much about it, but the search engine lets businesses stake out a claim on the site for free, and scammers are on the prowl convincing unsuspecting business owners they have to pay for the service.

Butch Ayers knows a lot about fixing cars. But his knowledge of Google is not as deep. So when someone called claiming to be from the search engine Ayers thought it was the real deal.

"We got multiple calls from Google all day long for advertisement and stuff like that so I bought this advertisement deal from them to secure that my Google account remains mine," Ayers said.

It turns out Google never did call Ayers. Instead, it was a marketing company claiming to be the search engine. They charged Ayers $259 to have his business verified on the search engine. It turns out that is something business owners can do for free.

"Listings are not for sale, they are free and you own them by default," IT expert Coleman Ryan said.

Ryan is setting up Ayers' website. Coleman says Google lists a businesses details free of charge. Google does allow company owners to verify the listings under the Google business tab. That process is also free.

Ayers says scammers are tracking down unverified companies, starting the process and then charging business owners money for the service.

When Ryan heard learned Ayers paid money to verify the business, he called the marketing company and demanded the money be sent back; it has not happened yet.

Ryan says all business owners should take the time to verify their companies now before cyber squatters do it first.

"There are hundred if not thousands of businesses in the Houston area that have not been verified," Ryan said.

Remember, Google is not going to call you about verifying a business on the search engine, or charge you for doing it.