Using the linked phone number, law enforcement or government agencies track you down as the suspect for crimes that were committed by the scammer through their Google Voice account.Google shares information about the scammer’s account and all linked information, including your phone number.Law enforcement or government agencies take action against the account and present a warrant or subpoena to Google.Since it’s on the Google Voice account and not your personal number, it happens without your knowledge. Scammers link your phone number to their Google Voice number, then use that number to commit crimes like fraud and identity theft.But if law enforcement gets involved, Google will hand over all information on the offending account, including your linked number.

Scammers can exploit Google Voice numbers because they’re nearly untraceable. Commit crimes that can be traced back to you Here’s what scammers can do once they’ve gained access to a Google Voice account linked to your phone number: 1. While it’s not ideal to have a stranger use a number that’s connected to your Google account, can it really cause serious harm? Google Voice Scams: What Can Someone Do With Your Google Voice Code? ✅ Take action: If you think your personal information could be in the wrong hands, try Aura’s identity theft protection free for 14 days to secure your identity. It can also be used like a regular phone number to make and receive calls - all for free.Ĭriminals like Google Voice because it gives them a free, mostly untraceable phone number that they can use to scam people. Once it’s set up, the number can automatically forward text messages and calls to other cell phone numbers that you specify (or even to your Gmail inbox). It generates a phone number for you that is linked to your Google account. Google Voice is a call app offered by Google. So, why do scammers want your Google Voice verification code? What can they do with it? And what should you do if you’ve given a scammer your code? What Is Google Voice? Why Do Scammers Want Access to Your Number?

Among those crimes, a staggering 53% involved Google Voice verification code scams. The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) reported a record-breaking 26% increase in identity crimes from 2020 to 2021. Scammers bypass your natural suspicions by pretending to be cautious themselves, asking for “verification” from their targets.īut although they claim to be protecting themselves from a scam, it’s just an excuse to request your private information. Stories like this happen over and over again. But that relief quickly turned to confusion when the person demanded “proof” of the cat’s true ownership - in the form of a six-digit Google Voice activation code. Is Someone Asking for Your Google Voice Code?Īn Ohio resident who posted on Facebook looking for their missing cat was relieved to get a response from someone claiming to have found the beloved pet.

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