Google Misinformation
Some locksmiths in the Edmonton Alberta Canada have recently discovered a problem with their Google Listed information. A customer called to check: are we really closed? He said our google information says that we are “Permanently Closed.” This was a surprise to us as we have been established in the Edmonton Area since 1972.
When we checked our Google information, there is was, showing Lang Locksmiths Ltd. “Permanently Closed.” We then checked other lock shops in our area and we found four other shops where the “Permanently Closed” information was shown. I then called these other shops and some had also just found out about this and others were surprised at this had happened. They were not happy; they were annoyed. It seems that someone has gone and deliberately made these changes.
We had a difficult time contacting Google. Finally we were able to contact them; it seems that Google only communicates by E-mail. They said that they would look into it.
About 2 weeks later we got a phone call from Google stating that they have removed the “Permanently Closed” information and that they are sending us and information card which will have a code number on it to indicate that we own our name and business. By using this code, only we can make changes to our Google information.
The big question I have is: who would make this very unethical change? Is it a competitor who is mad at us? Is it the hacker wanting to cause computer problems? Is it the “Scam Smiths” or the “Bait and Switch” guys? Or maybe all of the above?
What can we do about this? Has it happened elsewhere in North America? Having gone through this situation, we now check our Google information’s weekly, and I recommend all lock and safe shops in North America check their Google information weekly.
The Google contact is: google.com/supportmybusiness
Robert A Lang CML,CPS,CJL
Lang Locksmiths Ltd.
Edmonton, AB
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