What is the google voice verification code

Received a Google Voice verification code text message that you didn’t request? Beware! The Federal Trade Commission recently issued a warning that scammers are utilizing Google Voice to steal lots of personal information.

How Google Voice Verification Code Scams Unfold

1. Google Voice Scams targeting sellers on Facebook Marketplace

If you’re planning on selling things on online marketplaces (especially on Facebook), please be careful! Scammers are out there pretending to be potential buyers.

Here’s how the scam unfolds: They ask you to provide your cell phone number — they might use any one of a number of excuses. For example, to schedule a time to pick up a package, to (ironically) make sure you are not a scammer, or to verify your identity as the owner of the item for sale. Whatever reason they give, it’s nonsense.

2. Google Voice “lost pet” scams

Or, in other cases, if you’ve lost your pet and posted about it online, scammers will falsely claim that they found your pet and wish to return it to you.

Once they’ve got your number, they use it to register for a Google Voice account under your name. Then Google Voice will send you a verification code:

The scammer then asks you to send them the 6-digit verification code. Please don’t fall for it! With the code, they can get a new Google Voice account in your name. They will then use that account to commit identity theft or other cybercrimes while posing as you.

How to Protect Yourself

• Keeping your phone number private online is essential.
• NEVER reveal any verification codes to anyone!
• NEVER clicking links or attachments from unknown sources is the key to cybersecurity. You can use Trend Micro Check to check if a website is secure (It’s free!)

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Steps to Retrieve Your Phone Number

If you’ve found that your number is already linked to another Google Voice account, you can turn to Google for help!

1. Go to voice.google.com
2. Click Settings
3. Click New linked number:

4. Enter your phone number:

5. Get a six-digit code:

• Mobile number: click Send code
• Landline number: click Verify by phone > Call

6. Enter the code and click Verify:

7. If the number is being used by another account, you will get a message asking if you want to claim it. Click Claim:

Scamming and hacking have become quite common as many people increase their digital presence online. Out of all the illegal activities out there,  the Google voice verification code scam is one of the most popular.

Whether you’ve fallen victim to this scam, or just want to remain aware of it, we’re going to talk about what it is, how it works, and answer frequently asked questions about it. By the end of this article, you will become more digitally secured; stay diligent, and this shouldn’t happen to you!

What Is the Google Voice Verification Code Scam?

Before understanding how people scam through Google Voice, you need to know what exactly the feature is. Google Voice allows you to make and receive free calls and texts in the US, as well as internationally. It also allows call forwarding. All these free attributes make it an attractive alternative to regular phone calls.

Fraud occurs when scammers hack your Google Voice account through your phone number. Google sends out six-digit codes to verify identities, and if a hacker gets ahold of it, they can take control of your account. There are several reasons why someone might partake in the Google Voice code scam; many use other accounts to successfully place calls under a different persona, a common sign of catfishing, and  often leads to identity theft. They also perform illegal or fraudulent activity by making questionable phone calls.

While you may think that hackers only want access to accounts owned by rich people, that is not necessarily the case. Taking control of regular accounts is more common. This is because criminals only need a code to gain control, and a lot of people give it away naively without thinking twice about the repercussions.

How Does the Google Voice Scam Work?

Scammers usually use Craigslist ads for their activities, which is a website that allows people to list products or services for selling online; scammers use the web service to receive phone numbers from people. Criminals will call sellers as interested buyers pretending to be interested in their ads, or take it a step further and call as an employee from Craigslist. While on the phone, they’ll ask you for the verification code sent by Google to confirm your identity. If you share the code, consider your Google Voice account a problem.

We know this sounds easy, but you don’t need to be tech savvy to figure this fraud out. Your accounts can easily be hacked by sharing a simple code, and many people fall victim to it. Some also believe that it is harmless to share their Google code since it is not associated with any monetary accounts, which is not the case.

How to Avoid the Google Voice Verification Code Scam

As the saying goes, preventions go farther than cures; avoiding being scammed through Google is much better than trying to retrieve your hijacked phone in the aftermath. With that said, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Do not share the Google verification code sent to your phone with anyone. If hackers don’t know your code, they (most likely) won’t be able to access your information.
• Always confirm the legitimacy of the customer if you’re a seller online, and keep an eye out for anyone with a fake account on websites like Craigslist.
• While doing business online, don’t be in a hurry to sell. Take your time and verify the identity of the buyer.
• Do not share your personal information on the Internet, as this makes you open to being taken advantage of.
• Create complicated passwords for all your accounts, and make an effort to change them frequently.

Key Takeaways 

• Google voice scams have risen in popularity. This attack occurs when a scammer gets into your Google voice account.
• Many scammers will find a phone number to contact through Craigslist ads, convincing the person on the other end that they’re a genuine buyer. They will then ask for the person’s Google verification code.
• Once you give away your code, your account gets busted!
• Hackers can use your hacked account to commit identity theft, make fraudulent calls, or hack other phone numbers as well.
• It is very important to not share your code with anyone. You should also verify the identity of the person calling you, and not share any personal information.

How to Retrieve Your Hijacked Phone Number

If you’ve fallen victim to a Google verification code scam, you must reclaim your number as soon as possible. You can hire ID protection companies to assist, send an email to Google support, or follow one of the two methods below:

The first process involves reclaiming your Google voice account. This can be done if you’ve never used your hacked Google voice account.

• Visit Google Voice and select the Google voice number.
• Press ‘Verify’ to verify your phone number.
• This will take you to another link. Type in your hacked phone number again, and press ‘Send code’.
• If your number is hacked, you will receive a warning that the number is already being used, and will be asked to reclaim it. 
• Click ‘Yes’ and your stolen account will be retrieved.

Another method to recover from a Google verification code text scam is to use another phone number. It can be anyone’s number, but make sure they’re there when you do this as you will need it to validate your account. This number should not have a Google Voice account.

• First, visit Google Voice to create a new account.
• Press ‘Verify’ to verify your phone number.
• For the next verification, type in the phone number you’re trying to retrieve
• Press ‘Send code’.
• After you’ve received a Google verification code in a text message, type it into the website’s command box.
• Once the account has been created, go to your settings and add your hacked number.
• Google Voice will inform you that the number is already being used, and you’ll be asked to reclaim it.
• Press ‘Yes’ and your account will be yours again.

After reclaiming your account, make sure to send an email to Google about your Google Voice code hack. This will not only ensure that the hacker doesn’t get hold of your account again, but also that they are aware of the issue. Make sure to also remove the other number from your account that you used to help get it back.

Conclusion 

Scammers can easily hack phone numbers through Google Voice. The scam involves hijacking your phone number and using it for fraudulent activities. In order to prevent this, you should never share your Google verification code with anyone. However, if your phone number is hacked, you can retrieve it by following simple steps. You can also send an email to Google support to help you in the process. Good luck!

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