Beware: AI-Generated Scam Calls Targeting Small Business Owners

If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably seen your fair share of suspicious emails, texts, or voicemails promising to “fix urgent issues” with your website or Google listing. But the latest scams are more convincing than ever—thanks to AI-generated voices.

Recently, one of our clients received a voicemail claiming there was an “urgent issue with the keywords” on their Google Business Profile. It sounded professional, mentioned a callback number, and even had natural pauses and breathing patterns. The only problem? It was completely fake.

The Red Flags in the Scam Call

The message sounded legitimate at first, but several red flags stood out:

• Google Business Profiles don’t have keywords. You can only set categories, not keywords.

• No clear company identification. The caller said he was from the “Business Help Center” but never specified which business or organization.

• Repetition with identical tone. The script repeated the same line—word-for-word—with identical cadence, a tell-tale sign of AI voice cloning.

• Urgency and fear tactics. Phrases like “fix this before the end of the day” are designed to push people into quick action without verifying the source.

The recording was good enough to fool anyone unfamiliar with Google Business listings, especially when the scammer drops familiar terms like keywords or disrupting services.

Why These Scams Are So Effective

AI has made scam calls sound eerily human. Small pauses, natural inflection, and emotional tone make them believable. Scammers count on business owners being busy and afraid of losing visibility online.

Even legitimate companies—like Google and Meta—can make things confusing by sending aggressive or misleading account messages. For instance:

• Google reps may send alarming messages about account “issues” or push you to raise ad budgets.

• Meta reps often encourage higher ad spending by saying your campaigns are “limited” or “under review.”

While those messages can be real, they’re also motivated by sales incentives. Always verify before reacting.

How to Protect Your Business from Scam Calls and Emails

Here are some simple steps to stay safe:

1. Never click links or call back unknown numbers.
   Go directly to your platform (Google, Meta, Shopify, etc.) and check for notifications.

2. Inspect the sender’s email address.
   Click to expand it and confirm the domain (e.g., @google.com, not @g00gle-support.com).

3. Avoid screen sharing or giving login credentials.
   Real support teams will never ask for your passwords or remote access.

4. Report and block suspicious messages.
   Mark them as spam and warn your team or clients.

5. When in doubt, trust your instincts.
   If something feels off or creates panic, pause and verify before responding.

What to Do if You Receive One

If you get a call or voicemail like this:

• Don’t call the number back.

• Log into your Google Business Profile directly to check for real alerts.

• Report the phone number through Google’s Business Profile Help or FTC scam reporting tools.

• Share examples with other business owners to raise awareness.

The best defense is knowledge—scammers prey on confusion and urgency.

The Bottom Line

AI scams are getting smarter, but awareness gives you the upper hand. Whether it’s a fake “Google Business issue,” a Meta “ad review,” or an “SEO fix,” remember:
if it sounds urgent, official, and unfamiliar—it’s worth double-checking.

If you’ve encountered a suspicious message or voicemail like this, send it to us. We’ll review it in a future post to help other small business owners stay protected.