SCAM – Google Voice scam

Scammers will target people who have posted things for sale on-line. For example: Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. They also prey on people who post looking for their lost pet.

The scammer artist will contact you to say they want to buy the item you’re selling, or that they found your pet. But before they commit to buying your item, or returning your pet, they come up with a scheme. They might say they’ve heard about fake online listings and want to verify that you’re a real person. Or they might say they want to verify that you’re the pet’s true owner.

They send you a text message with a Google Voice verification code and ask you for that code. If you give them the verification code, they’ll try to use it to create a Google Voice number linked to your phone number. (Google Voice gives you a phone number that you can use to make calls or send text messages from a web browser or a mobile device.) Below are some examples.

The scammer will use that number to rip off other people and conceal their identity. Sometimes these scammers are after a Google Voice verification code and other information about you. If they get any of your information, they can pretend to be you to access your accounts or open new accounts in your name.

If you think you have been scammed with google voice, you can check this article out to help reclaim your Google Voice Number:: Reclaim your Voice number – Google Voice Help