Delfino Sanchez Vargas
Original Poster
Mar 15, 2020

How did my Google my business account get hacked?

Hello everyone, Just 2 days ago, I had full access to my GMB site.
Today I went to publish a new Google My Business Post, and realized someone had taken over the account, and even modified the name of the company.  

For the record, here is my business name, address, google map link,  website, and two screenshots of the GMB dashboard I have frequented for multiple years:

Aldine Tree Services Houston Stump Grinding
1166 Woolwich Dr
Houston, TX 77032 


https://goo.gl/maps/kiavzoSTjWWdzzia6

I have submitted the: Ownership Request Form.  I see the following now on display:
"Duplicate location We sent your request for access to the current owner on Saturday, March 14, 2020. If you haven't received a response from them by Saturday, March 21, 2020, then you will be able to claim ownership of this location."

I had over 300 photos of my business published.  Currently it's listed as "Unverified". 
Does anyone have more current suggestions?  I suspect, I've intervened at a decent time, since I was just in, and today realized someone is hacking it.  Is it possible someone cloned my phone number and or my address to try to take the account over?  I've never shared access with anyone previously, and saw an unrecognizable gmail address as the GMB site owner to request transfer from.  It appears someone is trying to duplicate it, keep the reviews, and leave me with an empty shell page, and a different company name.

I realize Google likely has a solid "Restore" or Safe Mode option, however the way this happened so quickly has me rather concerned. I'm appreciative to the community for sharing your experiences and helpful details.  To the extent additional information from me would be helpful, please let me know.
Thanks,
Delfino 

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Recommended Answer
Helmut Geissler
Diamond Product Expert
El sueño de la razon produce monstruos
Mar 15, 2020
the listing  as per your  screenshot  https://storage.googleapis.com/support-forums-api/attachment/thread-33594205-17481175296320021573.jpg  seems  not  specified as a  service area  business  with cleared  address
I doubt the listing  is hacked  by anyone else.
The  other  listing  as per your link  https://goo.gl/maps/kiavzoSTjWWdzzia6  is an older service area  listing  since it shows  a  radial  service  area.
Such radial  service  areas  are retired  since  half a  year  or  more.
Keyserholiday recommended this
Helpful?
All Replies (18)
Helmut Geissler
Diamond Product Expert
El sueño de la razon produce monstruos
Recommended Answer
Mar 15, 2020
the listing  as per your  screenshot  https://storage.googleapis.com/support-forums-api/attachment/thread-33594205-17481175296320021573.jpg  seems  not  specified as a  service area  business  with cleared  address
I doubt the listing  is hacked  by anyone else.
The  other  listing  as per your link  https://goo.gl/maps/kiavzoSTjWWdzzia6  is an older service area  listing  since it shows  a  radial  service  area.
Such radial  service  areas  are retired  since  half a  year  or  more.
Keyserholiday recommended this
Golden Touch Team Cleaning
Apr 20, 2020
I am having the same issue this is very unprofessional for google my business service no one should have the right to do such a thing any advice how to fix this issue
Ganz
May 6, 2020
I don't know if I have been hacked or not. I got an email "In 7 days you’ll no longer have access to your Business Profile" to an email that is not listed on my account (but I didn't realize that until after I clicked on it).

It says it was sent from googlemybusiness-noreply@google.com but then says it was "Mailed by" scoutcamp.bounces.google.com.

I'm very confused.

Is this legit?  If yes, why is the address sent to my personal gmail account but it is about my business acct that ends in my domain name?
Luke Hopton
May 11, 2020
Google needs to sort out a better way of locking down these 'GMB' listings. My company has received two separate attempts by random strangers to gain admin access to our business listings. If you accidentally hit the wrong button, or miss the message 7 days later they are granted access? Not a great system, google has good security but this seems to be a severe weak spot. Businesses are left wide open to 'ransom' attempts.
Gage Med Ed
Jun 2, 2020
My listing was hacked as well and it has the same email... “ge...@gmail.com.” They have to have a better way to do this. This is crazy.
Toma Fitzgerald
Jun 17, 2020
My business page has been hacked I had close to 300 reviews and now it says 10 reviews. And replies that I've never replied too and employee names that I don't even have now or before as employees.  And on the maps page the phone number was changed to a 480 number when ours is a 520 area code.
Kenny Marcum
Jun 22, 2020
I have also seen an account that was "Suspended" in late Feb/early March that looks to now be controlled by ge...@gmail.com.  I am curious if anyone else that is having this issue has used or is currently still using GoDaddy's marketing services.  Looking to see if there is a connection and if GoDaddy is behind ge...@gmail.com
Amber Hollingsworth
Jun 23, 2020
I'm having the same issue.  Last Wednesday I got an email saying I could no longer manage Hope VA lending account.  I didn't think that much about it because my business is named Hope For Families Recovery Center.  But, when I went to make my regular business post, I got the same message (needs to be verified). From what I can tell, someone has taken over my account and changed the name to Hope VA lending.  It's very distressing because I've regularly updated that profile for years, along with lots of good reviews etc.... How do I recover my site?
Rajesh Khanna 3774
Jul 16, 2020
Mujhe mere wine shop per contact number dalvana hai please call me 6002121732
User 17997425799498087958
Jul 16, 2020
I have the same problem...someone has taken over my restaurant account, changed the name, hours pictures and well everything. It's no longer Salinas breakfast club, it's now salinas brunch club and they offer cooking classes and all kinds of stuff. i no longer occupy the space where I was, but i still own the business and it seems that google has enabled this hijack. How do i get my company name and reputation back, google? My place was a private club for fine dining...now on google maps the new owner is using my tagline as well " Private club for food enthusiasts".
Rajesh Pilla
Aug 12, 2020
The same is the case with me. My firm name is The Print House. Someone changed it to Shalom print house. Don't know whom should I call
LUCKY SANTRA
Aug 15, 2020
NOTE: 
that's obviously a matter of some one claim you business or some one claim the ownership of your business. as per my opinion there are some kind of less information in your business page. if you have had full of information regarding your business page its difficult to claim your business ownership by someone others.
The print House
Aug 25, 2020
My firm The Print House has been taken over by some shalom print house. All the photos and reviews belong to me. I was advised to open a new account with my credentials. I got the verification code also. How do I get my reviews back??
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