A troubling Google Maps scam is using fake photos to redirect customers away from real businesses.
Scammers are reportedly uploading AI-generated images to Google Business Profiles through the Google Maps contributor program. These images display phone numbers that do not belong to the actual business. Photo rules cut both ways, and honest uploads get refused too. If one of yours did, see why a cover photo gets rejected.
The danger is simple.
A customer searches for a business on Google Maps, opens the Business Profile, sees a large image containing a phone number, and calls it. However, instead of reaching the real company, the customer may end up speaking with a scammer.
Reports suggest that this method is being used across dozens, and potentially hundreds, of Google Business Profile listings.
Similar complaints have also appeared in Google’s own Business Profile community, where users have reported contributors uploading AI-generated images containing unrelated phone numbers across large numbers of business listings. Some users also said the misleading images became highly visible on the profiles.
How the Google Maps Phone Number Photo Scam Works
Normally, people expect the phone number shown directly inside a Google Business Profile to belong to the business.
However, this scam uses a different approach.
Instead of changing the official phone number field, scammers upload an image containing their own phone number.
For example, the image may include:
- The real business name
- A professional-looking background
- A large phone number
- Service-related text
- Branding designed to resemble the real company
Because the image can look professional, customers may believe it was uploaded by the business itself.
The scam becomes even more dangerous if Google displays the image prominently near the top of the Business Profile.
Google allows customers and Maps contributors to upload photos and photo updates to businesses. Business owners cannot completely prevent customer photo contributions, although inappropriate photos can be reported.
Business Owner Reports Fake AI-Generated Photo
Sam Sarsten posted about the issue on LinkedIn after Naomi Stevens shared details about the problem in a LinkedIn group.
She explained that an AI-generated image had been uploaded to a roofing company’s Google Business Profile.
The image reportedly used the client’s real business name but showed a phone number that did not belong to the company.
She wrote:
A Google Maps contributor has uploaded an AI-generated image to my client’s GBP (roofing company) using the client’s business name but with a phone number that doesn’t belong to the business.
What made the situation worse was the visibility of the image.
According to the report, Google was displaying the image prominently enough that it could easily look like an official cover image or business photo.
The Same Phone Number Appeared Across Many Businesses
The issue did not appear to be limited to one company.
After checking the contributor’s activity, Naomi reportedly found more than 150 photo contributions across unrelated businesses throughout the United States.
Many of those images apparently contained the same incorrect phone number.
That pattern suggests the activity may be systematic rather than someone accidentally uploading an incorrect image.
Similar complaints have appeared elsewhere. One Google Maps community report described multiple accounts allegedly uploading misleading photos, fake phone numbers, and fraudulent edits designed to redirect customers away from legitimate businesses.
Another Business Profile community post from June 2026 described a Maps contributor uploading AI-generated photos containing the contributor’s own phone number to hundreds of profiles. The poster also said some of those images became cover photos.
Reporting the Image Did Not Quickly Solve the Problem
According to the LinkedIn report, the fake image was reported and Google support was contacted.
However, the response reportedly did not directly address the problem.
Naomi explained:
From the info you shared, we’re not sure of your exact issue, but here are solutions to the most common issues…
She also tried uploading additional legitimate business photos, a logo, and a cover image in an attempt to push the fake image further down the profile.
However, the suspicious image reportedly continued to appear prominently.
This highlights one of the biggest concerns with this scam.
Even when a business owner discovers the fake image quickly, removing or reducing its visibility may not always happen immediately.
Google says business owners can report inappropriate photos and that fraudulent content can result in content removal or account suspension.
The Contributor May Be Using the Name Jack Edward
The specific contributor connected to this report may be operating under the name Jack Edward.
The account reportedly uploaded similar images to multiple Google Business Profile listings.
Here is the example image connected to the report:
The concerning part is that the same phone number reportedly appears across multiple unrelated businesses.
That creates a clear pattern that could potentially help identify coordinated abuse.
Why This Scam Is Dangerous for Businesses?
This type of Google Maps scam can hurt both businesses and customers.
A customer may believe they are speaking directly with the business because they found the phone number while looking at its Google profile.
The scammer may then try to:
- Collect a payment
- Ask for personal information
- Book fake services
- Redirect the customer to another company
- Collect leads intended for the legitimate business
- Damage the real company’s reputation
For local businesses such as roofers, plumbers, locksmiths, movers, HVAC companies, and other service businesses, phone calls are often one of the most valuable types of leads.
Even a small number of redirected calls could result in lost revenue.
There is also a reputation risk. If a customer has a bad experience after calling the fake number, they may mistakenly blame the legitimate company.
AI-Generated Images Make the Scam More Convincing
AI image tools can make this technique easier to scale.
A scammer can create professional-looking images containing a business name, service information, branding, and a fake contact number without needing advanced graphic design skills.
That means hundreds of customized images could potentially be created much faster than before.
The images may also appear realistic enough that an average Google Maps user does not immediately recognize them as fake.
Google’s Business Profile community has already received reports involving AI-generated images with fake phone numbers. One April 2026 report described recurring attacks in which newly created accounts uploaded AI-generated images containing a fraudulent phone number to multiple listings.
Google Could Potentially Detect Repeated Phone Numbers
One important detail in this case is that the same phone number reportedly appears across many unrelated business images.
This could potentially create a strong spam signal.
For example, if the same phone number appears inside photos uploaded to dozens of unrelated companies in different cities, that activity may deserve additional review.
Automated image analysis could potentially identify phone numbers inside uploaded images and compare them with information on the actual Business Profile.
A suspicious pattern could include:
- One phone number appearing across many unrelated businesses
- The number not matching the official business phone number
- One contributor uploading similar graphics repeatedly
- AI-generated images being uploaded to unrelated industries
- Large numbers of photo uploads within a short period
However, current reports suggest some of these images can remain live long enough to create problems for businesses.
What Business Owners Should Do?
Business owners should regularly check more than just their profile information. They should also review photos uploaded by other Google Maps users.
Important things to check include:
- Newly uploaded customer photos
- Images containing phone numbers
- Photos containing unfamiliar website URLs
- Images using your business name or logo
- Photos advertising services you do not offer
- Suspicious contributors uploading promotional graphics
- Images that suddenly become highly visible on your profile
If you find a suspicious image, report it through Google Maps and document everything.
Keep screenshots of the image, contributor account, phone number, affected profile, and reporting attempts.
Google says inappropriate customer photos can be reported, and suspicious profiles or fraudulent content can also be reported through its Maps systems.
Business owners should also make sure customers can easily identify their real contact information through their official website and Google Business Profile.
Customers Should Check the Official Profile Information
Customers should also be careful when calling numbers displayed inside photos.
A phone number printed inside an image should not automatically be treated as the official business number.
Instead, users should check the phone number listed in the actual Google Business Profile contact section or visit the company’s official website.
Google also warns users and businesses to be cautious about suspicious calls and says legitimate Google communications will not ask for payments, account passwords, OTPs, or similar sensitive information.
Google Maps Spam Is Becoming More Sophisticated
Google Maps spam has existed for years, but this example shows how scammers can use AI-generated content in more creative ways. Instead of directly editing a business phone number, scammers can try to influence customer behavior visually.
That makes the scam harder for customers to notice because the official profile information may still be completely correct.
The fraudulent information exists inside the image instead.
Google states that fraudulent content is not allowed and says it can remove content, suspend accounts, and take other action against scammers. However, fast detection will be important if this technique continues to spread.
Final Thoughts
The Google Maps phone number in photo scam is another reason business owners need to monitor their Google Business Profiles closely.
Checking your business name, address, phone number, reviews, and opening hours is no longer enough.
Photos uploaded by third-party contributors can also affect what customers see and who they contact.
If scammers can place convincing AI-generated images containing fake phone numbers prominently on legitimate business profiles, even a correct Google Business Profile can still create a dangerous customer experience.
Businesses should regularly review contributed photos, report suspicious content quickly, and keep evidence when repeated abuse occurs.
Customers, meanwhile, should avoid trusting contact information displayed only inside a photo and confirm the phone number through the official Google Business Profile information or the company’s website.
Forum discussion at LinkedIn.
