What is the Google Voice Scam?

The Google Voice Verification Code Scam is a common scam similar to the Craigslist verification code scam. The Google Voice scam is essentially carried out by a scammer to set up a Google Voice account using a third-party target’s phone number. Once the scam is complete, the scammer will have been issued a Google Voice number. The scammer uses the third-party victim’s phone number to validate the account. The victim is usually unaware that this has happened.

There are many reasons why a scammer would want to create a Google Voice account using someone else’s phone number. Google Voice allows the scammer to create a new phone number from several different locations of their choosing. What is done with the new number by the scammer is unknown, but rest assured it is not something a victim would want their own phone number to be connected with.

How the scam works

1. 1. A person puts their phone number out in public. They might possibly create a classified ad, created an account on a dating website, or something else.

1. The scammer contacts the person via a text message or email message. The message from the scammer will differ depending on the situation but the scammer might say that they want the person who posted their phone number in public to verify that they are a person, and in order to do so, they must send them a code sent to their phone. In other situations, the scammer might say suggest that they want to call them and suggest that the target use Google Voice.
2. The scammer uses the targets phone number to sign up for Google Voice and they are issued a Google Voice number using the victims’ phone number as the forwarding number. The scammer will be able to make calls using the new Google Voice number from another device including their computer.

If you have fallen victim to the Google Voice Verification Code Scam you need to get your phone number back. Instructions to get your phone number back are detailed below. Please be advised, if you were scammed while posting your phone number on a third-party website such as Craigslist you will want to contact Craigslist as well.

How to get your phone number back

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There are 2 solutions to get your phone number back listed below.

Create a Google Voice account using your stolen number

1. 1. You will need to create a Google Voice account if you do not have one. Go to https://voice.google.com and choose a Google Voice number. You can search by city or area code and then select one from the list.

1. Click the Verify button to verify your phone number. You will be asked to enter a number to link, add your scammed phone number and click SEND CODE.
2.  If the reclaim process for the scammed number has never been used before, you will get a warning that the number is currently in use on another account, and you will be asked if you would you like to reclaim it.  Respond yes, of course.  This will remove the number from the scammer’s account. If you do not receive a warning that your number is in use, it means that the scammer had already removed your phone number from their account, and you have nothing to worry about.

Create a Google Voice account using another phone number of yours

1. 1. You will need to create a Google Voice account if you do not have one. Go to https://voice.google.com and choose a Google Voice number. You can search by city or area code and then select one from the list.

1. Click the Verify button to verify your phone number. You will be asked to enter a number to link, add another phone number of yours (not the scammed one) and click SEND CODE.
2. Check your phone for a text message from Google Voice containing a verification code and enter the code you received, click VERIFY.
3. Click FINISH. The Google Voice phone number will now be added to your phone and your phone will ring when someone calls your Google Voice number. You have obtained your number back and do not need to use the new Google Voice phone number if you do not want to.
4. After your account is set up, go to this page:  https://voice.google.com/settings and click the new linked number to link your scammed number.
5. Enter the number that was scammed in the field that appears and click SEND CODE.
6.  If the reclaim process for the scammed number has never been used before, you will get a warning that the number is currently in use on another account, and you will be asked if you would you like to reclaim it.  Respond yes, of course.  This will remove the number from the scammer’s account. If you do not receive a warning that your number is in use, it means that the scammer had already removed your phone number from their account, and you have nothing to worry about.