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Locksmith ripoffs: Hidden camera investigation (Marketplace)
About this video
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.
Why it appears in the archive
Cited as a concrete demonstration of how fake local business listings on Google Maps are used for scams.
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From the Hacker News discussion
This video has a demo of what is happening: [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.
Read original comment ↗CBC's Marketplace did an investigation about this years ago. [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.
Read original comment ↗It's rampant. Locksmiths, appliance repairs, flowers, you name it. Unfortunately, I have not had similar luck in reporting obviously fake businesses. [VIDEO]
Read original comment ↗