$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
Google Voice verification code scam
A person you are communicating with online asks you to share a Google Voice verification code, then uses it to create a Google Voice number linked to your account for future scams.
“impersonation scam”
↑ 604%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline sellers
Often hitsCreators and online sellers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $12K
Recovery rate~15%
Annual reports330,000
Scam breakdown
1
During an online marketplace transaction, the scammer asks the victim to share a Google verification code 'to prove you are real.'
2
The scammer enters the victim's phone number to create a Google Voice account, and Google sends a verification code to the victim.
3
When the victim shares the code, the scammer completes the Google Voice setup, creating a phone number linked to the victim's real number, used for further scams.
What to do first
Never share verification codes with anyone — they are meant only for you.
Related terms
Google Voice code scamverification code theftBrand impersonation scamsGoogleSurgingOnline sellersCraigslist usersFacebook Marketplace usersCreators and online sellersOnline shoppersUnited StatesCanadaGoogle Voice code scamverification code theft
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Amanda, 35, a online sellers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate brand impersonation scams situation while using Google. During an online marketplace transaction, the scammer asks the victim to share a Google verification code 'to prove you are real.'
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The scammer enters the victim's phone number to create a Google Voice account, and Google sends a verification code to the victim.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: When the victim shares the code, the scammer completes the Google Voice setup, creating a phone number linked to the victim's real number, used for further scams.
The outcome
Amanda realized something was wrong when someone you do not know in person asks you to share a code google sent to your phone. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never share verification codes with anyone — they are meant only for you. Amanda's experience shows why someone you do not know in person asks you to share a code google sent to your phone and they claim the code is to verify you are a real person, not a bot are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Someone you do not know in person asks you to share a code Google sent to your phone
- They claim the code is to verify you are a real person, not a bot
- The request comes during an online buying or selling transaction
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Never share verification codes with anyone — they are meant only for you.
- ✓If your number was already used, reclaim it at voice.google.com/about by going through the setup process again.
- ✓Report the scam to the platform where the interaction occurred and to the FTC.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The Google Voice verification code scam is the most commonly reported scam on the BBB Scam Tracker, accounting for a large share of all reports.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Never share verification codes with anyone — they are meant only for you.
- ✓If your number was already used, reclaim it at voice.google.com/about by going through the setup process again.
- ✓Report the scam to the platform where the interaction occurred and to the FTC.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The Google Voice verification code scam is the most commonly reported scam on the BBB Scam Tracker, accounting for a large share of all reports.
BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Online sellers, Craigslist users, Facebook Marketplace users
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada
Primary channel
Google — Brand impersonation scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Online sellers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The Google Voice verification code scam is the most commonly reported scam on the BBB Scam Tracker, accounting for a large share of all reports.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about google voice verification code scam
How does the google voice verification code scam work?+
During an online marketplace transaction, the scammer asks the victim to share a Google verification code 'to prove you are real.' The scammer enters the victim's phone number to create a Google Voice account, and Google sends a verification code to the victim. When the victim shares the code, the scammer completes the Google Voice setup, creating a phone number linked to the victim's real number, used for further scams.
What are the warning signs of google voice verification code scam?+
Someone you do not know in person asks you to share a code Google sent to your phone They claim the code is to verify you are a real person, not a bot The request comes during an online buying or selling transaction
What should I do if I encounter google voice verification code scam?+
Never share verification codes with anyone — they are meant only for you. If your number was already used, reclaim it at voice.google.com/about by going through the setup process again. Report the scam to the platform where the interaction occurred and to the FTC.
Who is most at risk for google voice verification code scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online sellers, Craigslist users, Facebook Marketplace users. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada and typically appears on Google.
Is google voice verification code scam getting worse?+
Google Voice verification code scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Similar scams to watch out for
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What to do first
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What to do first
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A caller or texter claims to be from your bank's fraud department, warns about suspicious transactions, and convinces you to share account details or transfer money to a 'safe' account.
What to do first
Hang up and call your bank directly using the number on the back of your card or on your bank's official website.
Targets
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Seen in
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.