This Google Maps loophole can lead to a banking fraud, here's how

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26 Aug, 2025 12:21

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Scamsters in Thane have been misusing Google's User Generated Content policy to edit a bank's contact details that appear on Google Maps by replacing it with their own contact numbers. The con artists dupe customers who call them into revealing sensitive account details such as Personal Identification Numbers (PIN).

Under Google's User Generated Content policy, anyone can edit the contact information on Google Maps page, such as the address and phone number. The tech giant believes that allowing users to suggest edits provides comprehensive and up-to-date information.

The Maharashtra cyber police believe the trend began over a month ago, The Hindu reported.

"We have received at least three complaints from the Bank of India (BoI) over the last one month. In all three instances, we immediately notified the authorities at Google," Superintendent of Police Balsing Rajput of the State cyber police told the paper.

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Rajput added that many customers search for their bank’s contact details online and after they get the incorrect number, they call it with their queries. Not knowing that they are speaking to a scamster, customers fall prey to revealing sensitive details such as their Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) or the CVV numbers of their debit and credit cards, enabling the con artists to withdraw money from their bank accounts.

After the incident came into light, Bank of India has asked its users to seek contact details from the bank's official website only.

"After these incidents came to our notice, we modified the contact details on these branch listings on Google Maps. We asked users to use only Bank of India’s official website to search for branch contact details," a BoI spokesperson said.

Google said that they recognise there may be occasional inaccuracies or bad edits suggested by users. "When this happens, we do our best to address the issue as quickly as possible. The Google Safety Center outlines tips to help consumers stay safe online," a Google spokesperson said.