![]() Once in awhile, Google will decide to have you verify the phone number if you aren't using it to accept incoming phone calls (and will also ask you to verify if it is being used to accept incoming phone calls but you never answer that phone).Ĭurrently, you can't forward a Google Voice number to a Canadian number but you can forward it to a device if that device has the Google Voice app installed on it. I can probably use a party line or conference call number - would that work for this purpose?įrom what I remember, a US number is required to to create the account. Cyrus can also assist with proactive protection of most of your online assets and personal information.What about the "US line for verifications"? Is this only needed once, or every once in a while when Google decides to check on you? Can I forward the GV number to a Canadian number once verified? If the number is being used by another account, you get a message asking if you want to claim it.Ĭlick Here for a video showing how to reclaim your linked number (provided by the Identity Theft Resource Center)Īdditionally, the team at Cyrus can walk you through these recovery steps if you’re having trouble.Voice calls the phone number and gives the code. If it’s a landline number, click the verify by phone link, and then click Call.If it’s a mobile number, click Send code and Voice sends the code in a text message to the phone.To verify your number, Voice provides a six-digit code:.Under Linked numbers, click New linked number.To view the steps right now, see below for a recap and a video provided by the ITRC. To reclaim your linked number (the actual number your Google Voice is linked to).However, Google has resources in their Help Center which allow you to reclaim your number. It’s always a challenge to resolve this situation. Start Your Free Trial If you’ve been scammed If they are pressuring you to respond, they are likely trying to manipulate you into acting without thinking. Don’t let someone rush you into a sale.Don’t give out your email address to buyers/sellers conducting business via phone.If money is to exchange hands, make sure you are using legitimate payment processors. Only deal with buyers or sellers in person.Don’t share your Google Voice verification code - or any verification code - with someone if you didn’t contact them first.Here are some best practices you can use to make sure you never fall for this scam (or many other similar ones out there). It’s such a rising issue that the FBI was compelled to issue a warning about them earlier this year. The rise of Google Voice scamsĪccording to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), they saw a huge increase between August and November 2021, where the percentage of total victim cases went up from 49% to 70% in just a couple months. There’s no need for any identity verification. For instance, anyone with a Google account can create a Google Voice account for free. There’s a level of anonymity that criminals find convenient with this method. The scammer uses the Google Voice number in fraudulent ads on marketplace websites or other criminal activity.When the victim (seller) texts the code back, the scammer can link the Google Voice number to the victim’s authenticated phone.They ask the seller to accept and text back a code to prove they’re a real person. They express some hesitation that the seller (aka: you) is not real. Then they find a potential victim, for instance on a sellers marketplace.A criminal downloads the Google Voice app and links it to a Gmail account.Let’s dive a little deeper… How the scam works This scam falls in line with the most common reason for hacked accounts these days: Sharing information that we should not share with anyone.
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