This scam falls in line with the most common reason for hacked accounts these days: Sharing information that we should not share with anyone. Let’s dive a little deeper… Show
How the scam works
Why Google Voice?There’s a level of anonymity that criminals find convenient with this method. For instance, anyone with a Google account can create a Google Voice account for free. There’s no need for any identity verification. The rise of Google Voice scamsAccording to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), they saw a huge increase between August and November 2021, where the percentage of total victim cases went up from 49% to 70% in just a couple months. It’s such a rising issue that the FBI was compelled to issue a warning about them earlier this year. How to Avoid a Google Voice ScamHere are some best practices you can use to make sure you never fall for this scam (or many other similar ones out there).
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If you’ve been scammedIt’s always a challenge to resolve this situation. However, Google has resources in their Help Center which allow you to reclaim your number. There are two pathways:
Here’s the main Help Center article. To view the steps right now, see below for a recap and a video provided by the ITRC. If your linked number was claimed
Click Here for a video showing how to reclaim your linked number (provided by the Identity Theft Resource Center) Additionally, the team at Cyrus can walk you through these recovery steps if you’re having trouble. Cyrus can also assist with proactive protection of most of your online assets and personal information. Download Cyrus F&QsIt’s possible you shared your account code/PIN with an untrusted source, whether under false pretenses or by accident. When someone else has this code, they can take control of your linked number, and send/receive calls and texts pretending to be you. It could also prevent you from receiving calls and texts. Scammers and criminals are always looking for virtual phone numbers to engage in more criminal activity. These numbers are largely untraceable. They can also take advantage of the previous legitimacy of your number in order to find more unsuspecting victims. Even if you know someone personally, or have built up trust with someone you met recently, you still should NEVER share any links or codes with anyone. EVER. Don’t do it. If the person you’re communicating with asks for you to send payment in Gift Cards, or other less conventional (and untraceable) methods, that is a sure sign of a scam. Additionally, if they ask you for personal information, like your ID, date of birth, address, phone number, email, etc. Follow the steps in this article, directly from Google. Additionally, the team at Cyrus can walk you through these recovery steps if you’re having trouble. Cyrus can also assist with proactive protection of most of your online assets and personal information. Download Cyrus Why can't my phone number be used for Google verification?"This phone number cannot be used for verification"
If you find this error message, you have to use a different number. To protect you from abuse, we limit the number of accounts each phone number can create.
Why can't I link my phone number to Google Voice?If you can't connect to Google Voice on your phone, check your internet connection and make sure the app isn't set to "Do not disturb." If you recently changed phones, you might need to redirect Google Voice to your new number.
How can I get a number to verify my Google Voice number?Reclaim your Voice number. On your computer, go to voice.google.com.. At the top right, click Settings .. Under Linked numbers, click New linked number.. Enter the phone number to link.. To verify your number, Voice provides a six-digit code: ... . Enter the code and then click Verify. ... . Click Claim.. How do I bypass Google Voice verification number?On your Android device, turn on Airplane Mode.. Then enable WiFi and sign into your WiFi network on your device.. Then open the Google Voice app .. Sign in to your Google account.. At the top left, tap Menu Settings.. Under "Calls," tap Make and receive calls.. Select Prefer Wi-Fi and mobile data.. |