MARKETING MATTERS
3 Common
Website Scams & HOW TO SPOT THEM
MONICA PITTS
M any people know very little about how the web really works making them easy targets for scammers . Website owners are a lot like car owners . I own a car and know how to drive it but I only have a rough idea how it works . So if I go to a shady auto repair spot and the mechanic tells me , “ fix these 10,000 things or your car won ’ t run ” I have no idea if it ’ s legit . I either have to call for backup ( cue the trusty husband or dad ) or just go with my gut . The first rule to avoid any scam is to go with your gut . If your gut says no , then things are probably not right .
SCAM # 1 : People Pretending to be Google .
This is the scam tactic we defuse most often . The most common Google scam call sounds something like : “ I work with Google and you need to do X , Y , and Z for your business listing on Google or you ’ re going to lose it , or it ’ s going to cost you this much money .” First off Google doesn ’ t call people . The caller is being sneaky , notice how they say with , not for . Second , Google business listings are free . You do not pay for your Google business listing , you can go verify it or create it on business . google . com . But you don ’ t have to pay for it . www . callape . com [ 36 ] 1.800.210.5923