Beware! This Flaw in Google Maps Could Cost You Money!

Google Maps flaw allows scammers to change bank contact details on Maps to extract sensitive details from customers

Google Maps allows users to change name and details of sites on its platform.

(Photo: istockphotos)

Just a couple of days ago, Google had announced that it would be shutting down its Google+ division because of a data breach that had resulted in the data of thousands of customers being exposed to third-parties.

It gets worse for the American tech giant.

It has been found that a flaw in Google Maps has allowed scammers in Maharashtra to edit the contact details and addresses of major banks, by which they have been able to scam bank customers into revealing their bank details like CVV and ATM PINs. According to Google’s User Generated Content policy, any user can edit the numbers and details on the platform.

According to a report by The Hindu, con artists have been replacing the bank’s numbers with their own and calling customers posing as bank officials.

Maharashtra cyber police says that this trend began a month ago. They explained that when people searched for a particular bank online, the first search result would be a Google Maps link, only that the phone number there would not be authentic.

The Superintendent of Police, Balsing Rajput, of the State cyber police quoted in The Hindu said they had received at least three complaints from the Bank of India (BoI) over the last one month. All of the three instances were immediately notified to the authorities at Google.

He also added that most of the customers call these numbers with queries about the bank’s services, little knowing that there is a scammer sitting at the other end of the line who cajoles them into revealing sensitive bank information, which enables these con artists to withdraw money from the customer’s bank account.

After the incident came to light, The Hindu report further points out that Bank of India has asked its users to only refer to the contact details posted on the bank’s official website and not to trust any other source. The banks have also modified their details on Google Maps.

Google too has jumped in and said that there may be a few inaccuracies with the details online due to bad edits and user suggestions. A Google spokesperson quoted by The Hindu also said that the company does its best to address these issues as quickly as possible.

“The Google Safety Centre outlines tips to help consumers stay safe online,” he added.

(With inputs from The Hindu)