When homeowners need to repair their garage door, their first instinct is to search online. What many users don’t realize is that search engines have become a breeding ground for scammers posing as legitimate businesses while regulators are turning a blind eye.
A recent case in Muskego, Wisconsin, highlights this issue. When Mike and Dina Sharafinski garage door’s spring broke they needed an emergency repair and turned to Google to search for a garage door repair company they had trusted in the past – Joe Wilde.
What they didn’t realize was that Google led them to an entirely different entity.
The repairman who arrived at their location the next day inspected their garage door, replaced the broken springs and pulleys, and charged the couple $2,016, which is double the average market price for that type of repair work.
On top of that, according to the story by TMJ4, the springs installed by the call center’s worker were significantly smaller than the original ones, causing the garage door to malfunction and potentially compromising its safe operation.
The next day, when the garage door wasn’t working at all, Mike Sharafinski called Joe Wilde directly. To his shock, the company had no record of their service request, or any work performed, revealing that they had been misled by Google and the call center.
This isn’t an isolated incident. The same happened with Peggy Brigham and Lori Chadwick. Unsurprisingly, these types of events often begin when homeowner use the internet to search for a garage door repair service on Google. Fake garage door companies are rampant across the country, constantly changing phone numbers, addresses, and business names to avoid detection.
Orange County, California, for example, is constantly targeted by scammers who create fake pages with fake reviews. These pages are designed to deceive users into thinking the company is right around the corner, only for them to discover they’ve been overcharged for a botched job by unqualified or illegal workers.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) acknowledges the current situation as a widespread issue, yet their advice remains at a surface-level while they ignore the root of the problem.
Google and Regulatory Negligence
Despite repeated reports of fraudulent businesses scamming customers over the years, Google, Bing, and Apple continue to allow fake companies to appear in their map apps and search results. Scammers easily exploit these platforms and manipulate search algorithms to deceive unsuspecting users.
Big Tech’s unwillingness to address the issue largely stems from Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects online platforms from liability. While it was initially designed to protect free speech, Big Tech exploits it to avoid accountability for any content they allow on their platforms.
Regulators have failed to adapt to this growing problem and revise Section 230 in accordance with the FTC’s rules on advertising and marketing, leaving consumers vulnerable.
What Needs to Change
Regulators must take action to hold tech companies accountable and push for real change that protects consumers from scams originating at the top of search results pages. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act should be revised to require Google, Bing, and Apple Maps to take responsibility and permanently eliminate the practice.
Until then, consumers should be aware of how search engines enable scammers on their platforms and how easily they can become victims.
Tips That Can Help You Avoid Scammers
- Always verify a company’s details through official sources relevant to your area before sharing any personal information. For example, in Orange County and throughout California, consumers can check the CSLB website by searching for the company’s business name or license number.
- Always ask for a business card that includes the company’s details, such as its logo, phone number, and license number. Get the card, go inside, and verify the information before allowing them on your property.
- Familiarize yourself with the average garage door repair prices in your area before hiring a company to work on your garage door.
- Prepare in advance for potential repairs. Do your research and have the contact details of a legitimate garage door repair company on hand, so you’re not scrambling for help when your garage door suddenly breaks.
