Alert: Google Voice Verification Scam Hijacks Phone Numbers

The Google Voice verification scam is a troubling fraud that allows hackers to hijack your phone number and potentially steal your identity. This scam has victimized many people who posted their phone numbers online. Here’s how it works and how to avoid it.

How the Google Voice Verification Scam Operates

This scam typically begins when you post an advertisement online that includes your phone number, such as on Craigslist. Out of the blue, you’ll receive a text or call appearing to be a person inquiring about the ad.

However, the scammer is then going to ask you to “verify” your number by reading back a code texted to you. Unfortunately, you are really giving the hacker a Google Voice verification code they requested when setting up a Google Voice account in your name.

Once the scammer receives this code from you, they can finalize creating the account and essentially hijack control of your number. They do this by porting your number over to their Google Voice account.

From here, the hacker has free reign to use your number to carry out further scams, while the activity appears tied to you. They can intercept your calls and texts without your knowledge using the Google Voice portal.

How to Spot This Scam

Here are some warning signs that the “inquiry” about your online ad is really the Google Voice scam:

• They ask you to confirm your number or identity in some way.
• They specifically request you read back a code texted to you.
• The code is a six digit numerical code from Google.
• You never requested any code from Google or signed up for Google Voice beforehand.

Any callers or texters making odd requests about verifying your number through codes should raise red flags. Legitimate contacts will never do this out of the blue.

Protecting Yourself from This Scam

Here are some tips to avoid becoming a victim:

• Never publicly post your full phone number in online advertisements or social media profiles. Omit the last four digits if including it.
• Be wary of any calls/texts from numbers you don’t know asking about ads or posts with your number.
• Never share over the phone or text codes sent to you without consenting to receive them first.
• Monitor your phone account for any unauthorized changes, like different forwarding numbers.
• Regularly change online account passwords associated with the phone number being targeted.
• Use Google’s account recovery steps if you suspect your number was hijacked.
• Report the scam to the FTC and File complaints with the FCC and your local authorities.

What To Do if You’re a Victim

If you already shared your Google verification code and believe your number has been hijacked, take these steps:

• Call your phone carrier immediately to report the situation and prevent further damages. They may be able to block changes or revert compromises.
• Go through Google’s account recovery process to regain control. Submitting identification and successively generated verification codes can override the hacker.
• Contact banks/credit cards with the compromised number to protect those accounts as well. Sign up for credit monitoring to be safe.
• Change the number online for any accounts tied to the hijacked number when you regain control.
• Be vigilant about possible identity theft since phone numbers and names are now linked to the scammer’s Google Voice account. Monitor your credit regularly.

The Google Voice verification scam can have real impacts on victims beyond just phone hijacking. Stay alert when posting numbers publicly and never blindly share codes with suspicious callers. With caution, this scam can be avoided.