Selling items online is appealing. You don’t have to go out and look for buyers. Instead, you simply post an ad on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace and wait for people to contact you. But with the ease of selling online comes the risk of being scammed.
One common scam is the Google Voice authentication scam, which preys on unsuspecting merchants by taking advantage of their trust and the convenience of online communication. Scammers pose as potential buyers and use seemingly innocuous requests to access personal information, with the ultimate goal of hijacking your phone number and using it for fraudulent activities.
Here’s how it works: The scammer will send you a text message with a Google Voice verification code and ask you to share the code. Once you share the code, the scammer will use it to create a Google Voice number that’s linked to your phone number. Once they have that number, the scammer can use your number for a variety of shady purposes, including identity theft.
We recently received an email from Allen C. of Island Park, New York, explaining how he nearly became a victim of a Google Voice scam. Below, we share Allen’s story, explain the effects of these scams, and offer tips on how to protect yourself.
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Allen said she was trying to sell an item on eBay when she received a message from someone wanting to buy it. The person asked for her phone number, saying she was at work and that her husband would contact her. Allen provided her contact information, but then the person asked for a code.
“At first I thought it was real, but then she said she needed to verify that I was real, so she sent me this code through Google Voice and it was a six-digit code that I had to send back.” Allen told me.
“After thinking about it, I was trying to understand why she needed to know if I was genuine when I hadn’t even told her what I was trying to sell her! After looking into it, she had misspelled a word and said she hadn’t received a return code. I know she did. She begged me to send her another code. My research showed me it was most likely a scam.”
Allen quickly realized it was a scam, refused to give the scammer her mobile number and deleted the message.
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What happens if you give the code to a scammer?
If you provide a scammer with your Google Voice verification code, they can create a Google Voice number linked to your phone number, which gives the scammer great control over a virtual phone number associated with your real phone number, posing a significant risk.
One of the main dangers is that scammers can intercept verification codes sent by banks and financial institutions. When these institutions send a verification code to authorize a transaction, the code can be redirected to the scammer’s Google Voice number instead of the user’s phone. This allows the scammer to approve fraudulent transactions, reset passwords, and gain access to the user’s financial accounts, effectively circumventing security measures.
Additionally, control of numbers linked to your personal information allows fraudsters to engage in identity theft: they could open new credit cards or loan accounts in your name, impersonate you to access other services that require phone verification, or use your phone number as a recovery option for various accounts.
Additionally, scammers can use Google Voice numbers to commit further fraud while appearing to have a legitimate U.S. number. This tactic allows scammers to hide their true identity, making it more difficult for authorities to track their actions.
Ultimately, gaining control of the number associated with your identity gives fraudsters a powerful tool to undermine common security measures that rely on phone authentication, which can result in financial losses, lower credit scores, and complicated processes to reclaim your identity and secure your accounts.
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How do I get my Google Voice number back?
If you gave your credentials to a scammer, your linked number will be claimed and someone else will be using it on another Voice account. If you still have your linked number, you can get it back by following these steps:
- On your computer audio.
- click setting It’s in the top right corner.
- under Linked NumbersClick New Link NumberEnter your phone number to link
- To verify your number, Google will provide you with a six-digit code. For mobile numbers, Send Code To receive the code via text message, call 01-800-45 …0 for a landline phone number. Check by phone link after that phone.
- Enter the code and click confirmafter that Claim
4 ways to protect yourself from fraud
Scammers don’t just use Google Voice to scam you – they use a variety of other methods, including tricking you into installing malware to steal your data and passwords. Here are some tips to help you avoid getting scammed:
1) Verify your email address: When you’re trying to sell something online, scammers may contact you via email to get you to click on malicious links. These links may seem harmless, but they could give the scammer access to your device and important data. Never click on any links or attachments in the email or reply to them. Remember, you don’t have to click on any links to sell something online.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that could install malware and access your personal information is to have a strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection will also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. We’ve handpicked the winners of the best antivirus protection of 2024 for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
2) Avoid a sense of urgency: Many online sales scams create a sense of urgency or panic to trick you. Scammers may tell you there’s a problem with your account, claim you owe money, suggest there’s a problem with your listing, or even offer prizes.
They may pressure you to act quickly, asking you to send money, provide personal information, or buy gift cards. Don’t be rushed or pressured. Take a moment and think carefully before responding. If you’re unsure, talk to someone you trust – a friend, family member, or financial advisor. Remember, legitimate buyers and platforms will never ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
3) Verify the identity of the buyer or seller. If you receive a message or call from someone claiming to be a buyer, a platform representative, or an organization related to online sales, do not blindly trust them. Scammers may use fake names, phone numbers, or email addresses to deceive you. They may also have information about you, such as your name and listing details, but this does not mean that it is legitimate. This information may have been obtained from public sources or from previous scams.
Do not provide personal information such as bank account details, passwords or social security numbers. Do not agree to unusual requests such as sending money, buying gift cards or sharing codes. Instead, contact the organization or platform directly using known official contact methods to verify your identity. You can also check the organization’s website for any scam warnings or advisories.
4) Invest in personal data deletion services: Hiding from the internet is an important step in keeping your personal information safe from scammers and cybercriminals. Even if you don’t sell anything online, it’s important to remove your personal information from the web. This will prevent scammers from getting hold of your data to make fraudulent phone calls or set up convincing scams. By limiting your online presence, you reduce the chances that scammers will find and exploit your personal information. Additionally, hiding from the internet will prevent scammers from accessing your personal information to call you or trick you into believing they have some of your credentials to make their scams seem legitimate.
No service promises to delete all your data from the Internet, but if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of continually deleting information from hundreds of sites over a long period of time, a deletion service can be a useful tool. Check out my recommended data deletion services here.
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Important points about the cart
Selling goods online is easy, but it also comes with risks, such as Google Voice scams. Be especially careful if someone asks for a verification code or personal information while selling. Always verify their legitimacy and use official channels to contact them. Only use trusted platforms when selling anything online and take steps to protect yourself from identity theft that can affect your finances for years.
Have you ever been a victim of online scams? What did you learn from the experience? Cyberguy.com/Contact Us.
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