How Hackers Can Hijack Your Google My Business (GMB) Listing

Colorful flat-style illustration showing a hacker trying to hijack a Google My Business (GMB) listing, symbolizing the importance of protecting local business profiles from cyberattacks.

Introduction: Your Digital Front Door Needs a Lock

Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing customers see when they search for your company. It’s not just a directory listing—it’s your online storefront.

Unfortunately, if your GMB listing is unclaimed or poorly secured, it’s an open invitation for malicious actors. Hackers can hijack your profile to divert calls, change business hours, or even damage your hard-earned reputation.

In this post, Neon Digital Media explains how hijackers target vulnerable GMB listings, the real-world consequences for business owners, and—most importantly—what you can do today to secure your digital presence.

What Is a Google My Business (GMB) Listing?

Google My Business (now called Google Business Profile) is the free listing that powers your presence on Google Maps and in local search results.

A properly optimized and verified profile:

  • Boosts your local SEO visibility

  • Builds trust with customers through reviews, photos, and accurate info

  • Drives leads by connecting searchers directly to your phone number or website

But if your profile is unclaimed, anyone can request ownership or suggest edits—leaving you exposed.

Why Unclaimed GMB Listings Are Vulnerable

An unclaimed listing is like a store with an unlocked front door:

  • Google doesn’t have a verified owner to notify about changes

  • Bad actors can click “Claim this business” and pose as the rightful owner

  • Outdated email addresses or inactive accounts increase the risk

  • Long-neglected profiles often get hijacked simply because no one is watching

Common Hijacking Techniques

Hackers use a mix of social engineering and platform loopholes to seize control:

Impersonation and Fake Ownership Requests

Fraudsters submit an ownership request pretending to be the business owner. If no one responds promptly, they get control.

Phishing and Credential Theft

Scammers trick business owners into revealing Google account passwords—then change GMB details at will.

Unauthorized Changes via Third-Party Tools

Sometimes the risk comes from within—an unscrupulous agency or ex-employee who still has access.

Exploiting Business Inactivity

Dormant or unverified listings are soft targets. Hackers take advantage of the lack of oversight to hijack them.

Real-World Impact of a Hijacked GMB Listing

A hijacked profile can create chaos fast:

  • Lost leads: Phone number or website redirected to a competitor or scammer

  • Damaged reputation: Fake reviews, misleading photos, or spam content

  • SEO loss: Inconsistent data can tank local rankings

  • Fraud risk: Customers may be tricked into paying impostors

How to Protect Your GMB Listing

Here’s how every local business should secure their profile:

  • Claim and Verify Ownership: Complete the official Google verification process ASAP

  • Enable Strong Security: Turn on two-factor authentication for your Google account

  • Monitor Regularly: Check for suspicious edits, new reviews, or ownership requests

  • Audit Access: Remove old staff, vendors, or agencies who no longer need access

  • Act Quickly: If something looks off, report it to Google immediately

What to Do If Your Listing Has Been Hijacked

If you suspect your profile has been compromised:

  1. File a reclaim request through Google Business Profile Manager

  2. Report the incident to Google Support and gather evidence (screenshots, emails)

  3. Secure your Google account by updating passwords and enabling 2FA

  4. Consider professional help to recover and protect the profile

How Neon Digital Media Can Help

At Neon Digital Media, we specialize in Local SEO, GMB optimization, and reputation management. Our services include:

  • Proactive monitoring of your GMB profile to spot suspicious changes fast

  • Applying security-focused best practices to keep your profile locked down

  • Expert handling of GMB hijack recovery and dispute resolution

  • Ongoing reputation management to protect your brand’s image and leads

With us on your side, you can focus on growing your business—while we keep your profile secure.

Secure Your Profile Before It’s Too Late

Your GMB profile is too important to leave vulnerable. A single hijack can cost you leads, revenue, and customer trust.

Don’t wait until it’s compromised—protect your profile today.
👉 Contact Neon Digital Media now for a free GMB security audit and consultation. We’ll help you safeguard your digital storefront and keep your leads flowing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do hackers hijack a Google My Business listing?

Hackers often exploit unclaimed profiles or submit fraudulent ownership requests. Others use phishing emails to steal login credentials or take advantage of businesses that don’t monitor their listings regularly.

What are the risks of leaving my GMB profile unclaimed?

An unclaimed profile can be hijacked by someone else, who might change your contact details, divert leads to competitors, or post harmful content that damages your reputation and search visibility.

How can I tell if my GMB listing has been hijacked?

Warning signs include:

  • Unexpected changes to your business name, phone, hours, or website

  • Suspicious new reviews or photos

  • Losing access to your profile or receiving “ownership transfer” emails

What should I do immediately if my listing is hijacked?

  • Submit a reclaim request through Google Business Profile Manager

  • Report the incident to Google Support

  • Gather evidence (screenshots, emails, timestamps)

  • Update and secure your Google account with a strong password and 2FA

How do I prevent my GMB listing from being hijacked?

  • Claim and verify your GMB profile as soon as possible

  • Enable two-factor authentication for your Google account

  • Review and limit account access to trusted staff or agencies

  • Monitor your profile for suspicious edits or fake reviews

Why work with a professional GMB management agency?

Agencies like Neon Digital Media:

  • Provide proactive security monitoring

  • Respond quickly to suspicious activity

  • Optimize your profile for local SEO and lead generation

  • Manage reviews and protect your brand’s reputation

How often should I check my GMB profile?

Ideally, review your profile at least once a week or use a trusted partner like Neon Digital Media for continuous monitoring.

Does optimizing my GMB profile also improve my SEO?

Yes. A fully verified and optimized profile boosts your local search ranking, increases visibility on Google Maps, and makes it easier for customers to find and contact you.

How can Neon Digital Media help my business today?

We offer a free GMB security audit and consultation to identify vulnerabilities, recover hijacked profiles, and keep your listing protected so you can focus on running your business.

👉 Contact Neon Digital Media now to secure your GMB profile.