Google Voice Verification Code Scam UK: Don't Share That Code
A buyer or match asks you to read back a Google verification code — never do it. Here's the Google Voice scam explained.
What is the Google Voice verification code scam?
In this scam, someone you've met online — often a 'buyer' replying to a marketplace listing, or a new match on a dating app — asks to verify that you're 'a real person and not a bot'. They say they'll send a verification code to your phone and ask you to read it back. In reality they have used your phone number to trigger a genuine verification code — and by reading it back, you hand them whatever that code unlocks.
In the classic US version of this scam they register a Google Voice number against the victim's number and use it to defraud others while hiding their identity. Google Voice personal accounts are US-only, so the classic Voice-linking version generally concerns a US number. If a UK mobile receives a Google verification code, don't assume which flow was triggered: Google uses SMS codes for account creation, sign-in, recovery and other security checks, and other services send one-time codes too — whatever it unlocks, it is tied to your number.
Either way, the whole 'are you real?' framing exists only to get the code out of you.
How the scam works, step by step
- A stranger contacts you — a too-keen buyer for your marketplace item, or a fast-moving dating-app match.
- They claim they've been scammed before and want to 'verify' you, or check you're 'not a bot'.
- They say they're sending a Google (or other) verification code to your number and ask you to share or read it back.
- A six-digit code arrives by text — really a genuine verification code the scammer has triggered against your number, such as a Google account sign-in or recovery code (or, for US numbers, a Google Voice sign-up).
- If you read the code back, they complete that sign-up, login, or account recovery as if they were you.
- In the US version they now control a Google Voice number linked to you and use it to defraud others; for a UK number the code could belong to any of Google's security flows or another service, so the outcome can be the scammer signing into or recovering an account tied to your number.
Where it happens and who's targeted
It thrives anywhere strangers message each other: Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay and Vinted listings; dating apps; and even replies to rental or job ads. Sellers are a favourite target because a 'verify you're real' request can sound like a cautious, sensible buyer. The same trick is used with other services' one-time codes too — the principle is identical: a code that arrives on your phone is meant for you alone, and anyone steering you to read it out is trying to take something over in your name.
Warning signs
- A stranger asks you to share, read back, or type in a verification code they've 'sent' you.
- The reason given is to 'prove you're real', 'check you're not a bot', or 'verify' you before buying or chatting.
- A code arrives by text that you didn't request for any login of your own.
- The contact is unusually keen, moves fast, or pushes the 'verification' before any normal buyer/seller or dating conversation.
- Any pressure or urgency around the code.
What to do if you shared the code
- Don't panic, but act. If you gave away a Google verification code, don't assume which flow was triggered — change your Google account password, review your recent security activity at myaccount.google.com, and follow Google's recovery guidance for the affected account.
- Turn on two-step verification for your Google account if it is not already on.
- If a Google Voice number was set up against your number (possible for US numbers), Google has a dedicated reclaim process at voice.google.com.
- Review your other accounts that use your phone number for security, and update any passwords you're unsure about.
- Watch for unusual texts or calls suggesting your number is being used to contact others.
- Stop contact with the scammer and report them on the platform you met them.
How to report it in the UK
Report the account to the platform where it happened (the marketplace or dating app) so they can ban it. Report the fraud to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 (in Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101). If a Google Voice number was registered against your number, you can reclaim it at voice.google.com and report the abuse to Google. Forward scam text messages free to 7726. The simplest protection going forward: never share a verification or one-time code with anyone — no genuine person or company needs you to read one back.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Google Voice verification code scam?
It's a trick where a stranger online asks you to read back a verification code 'to prove you're real'. The code is a genuine one the scammer has triggered against your mobile number — in the classic US version it registers a Google Voice number in the victim's name; for a UK number it may relate to any of Google's security flows — account creation, sign-in, recovery or other checks — or another service's one-time code. Share it and the scammer completes that sign-up or login as you. The 'are you a real person?' line is just bait for the code.
Why do they want my verification code?
Because a code sent to your phone authorises something tied to your number — creating a Google Voice number in the US version of the scam, or signing into or recovering one of your own accounts, such as your Google account. With your code, the scammer completes a sign-up or login as if they were you. That's why no genuine buyer, match, or company ever needs you to read a code back — the code is for you alone.
I shared the code — what do I do?
Change your Google password and enable two-step verification, review your recent Google account security activity, and check other accounts that rely on your phone number. If a Google Voice number was set up against your number, reclaim or remove it using Google's process at voice.google.com. Stop contact with the scammer, report them on the platform you met them, and report the fraud to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040.
How do I report the Google Voice scam in the UK?
Report the account to the marketplace or dating app it came from, and report the fraud to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 (Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland). If a Google Voice number was set up in your name, reclaim it at voice.google.com and report the abuse to Google. Forward scam texts to 7726. Going forward, never share a one-time or verification code with anyone.