Locksmith ripoffs: Hidden camera investigation (Marketplace)
Why Hacker News recommends it
Cited as a concrete demonstration of how fake local business listings on Google Maps are used for scams.
What it is
CBC Marketplace investigates locksmith scams in the Greater Toronto Area. It exposes networks of fake Google Maps listings and fake reviews, and uses hidden cameras to show how low quotes turn into overcharges.
Recommended by 1 HN commenters across 1 different months, 2021 to 2024.
What Hacker News said
Recommends gravypod · 2021-08 · on “Porn Spam on Google Maps”
This video has a demo of what is happening: [this video] Essentially if you make a bunch of fake listings all around the State you work in people who are desperate will search for "X near me" and if you have the most dots it will resolve to you. This means more panicked buyers which directly translates to way more money.
Cites acatton · 2023-02 · on ““find a way to be a predatory squatter on a chokepoint” – Cory Doctorow”
CBC's Marketplace did an investigation about this years ago. [this video] TL;DW: this is widespread in most cities in Canada. Scammers just setup fake businesses on google to have your nearest locksmith be some generic chain. I would expect this to be the same for the US.
Cites richbell · 2024-01 · on “A man's pay-to-use toilet gag showed Google Maps can be used to track people”
It's rampant. Locksmiths, appliance repairs, flowers, you name it. Unfortunately, I have not had similar luck in reporting obviously fake businesses. [this video]