The Google Voice verification scam is one of the most common scams on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other platforms where people list items for sale or post in community groups. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, Google Voice scams accounted for over 60% of all identity theft reports they received in 2025. The scam is deceptively simple, and most victims do not realize what happened until the damage is done.
How the Google Voice Scam Works
Step 1: The Setup
You post something online — a couch for sale on Facebook Marketplace, a room for rent on Craigslist, a lost pet on a community board. A "buyer" or "interested party" contacts you. They seem friendly and engaged.
Step 2: The Verification Request
The scammer says something like: "Before I come look at it, I just want to make sure you're a real person and not a scammer. I'm going to send you a Google verification code — can you read it back to me?" Alternatively: "For my safety, I need to verify you're legit. Google will send you a code — just share it with me."
This sounds reasonable. You want to seem trustworthy. You agree.
Step 3: The Code Arrives
You receive a text message from Google that says something like: "[Code] is your Google Voice verification code. Don't share it with anyone else." The scammer asks you to read or send the code. If you do, you have just given them what they need.
Step 4: The Takeover
The scammer uses your code to create a Google Voice number linked to your phone number. They now have a fully functional phone number that traces back to you. They use this number to:
- Run additional scams (classified ads, romance scams) using a number that appears to be a real person
- Create accounts on services that require phone verification
- Verify identity on financial platforms
- Send scam texts that trace back to your number if investigated
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Why This Scam Is So Effective
The request seems reasonable because verification is a normal part of online transactions. The victim thinks they are proving they are real, when in fact they are handing over authentication to the scammer. The word "verification" creates trust — Google is a known brand, and verifying identity is a concept people understand and accept.
How to Recover if You Shared the Code
If you already shared a Google Voice verification code with someone, you can reclaim your number:
- Go to voice.google.com and sign in to your Google account.
- Go to Settings (gear icon).
- Under "Linked numbers," click "New linked number" and enter your phone number.
- Google will send a new verification code to your phone. Enter it — this removes the number from the scammer's account and links it back to yours.
- If you do not have a Google Voice account, create one first, then follow the steps above.
Prevention Rules
- Never share a verification code with anyone. No legitimate buyer, seller, or service representative will ever ask for a code sent to your phone. The code is for you — no one else.
- Read the code message carefully. Google explicitly says "Don't share it with anyone else." That warning exists specifically because of this scam.
- Be skeptical of "verification" requests. If someone on a marketplace asks to verify you, it is a scam. Real buyers ask about the product, negotiate a price, and arrange a meeting.
Variations of This Scam
The Google Voice version is the most common, but the same technique is used with other services:
- WhatsApp verification: "I accidentally sent my WhatsApp code to your number — can you send it to me?" This gives the scammer control of your WhatsApp account.
- Telegram verification: Same technique applied to Telegram accounts.
- Bank verification codes: Some scammers try to get you to share banking 2FA codes by pretending to be your bank. This is far more dangerous and can result in immediate financial loss.
The principle is universal: any code sent to your phone is for your use only. If anyone asks you to share it, regardless of the reason they give, it is a scam.
If someone has sent you a message asking for a verification code, paste the conversation into IsThisAScam.to for an instant analysis. The AI will identify the social engineering pattern and confirm whether it matches known scam scripts.