Google Voice scams: What are they and how do I avoid them?

This article explains how Google Voice scams work: attackers pose as buyers/sellers or concerned contacts to elicit Google verification codes, bind Google Voice accounts to victims’ numbers, then use them for vishing, phishing/smishing, spoofing, and identity fraud. It highlights red flags (requests to share verification codes, moving off-platform to WhatsApp/calls), stresses never sharing authentication codes, and advises remediation steps such as reclaiming the number via Google within 45 days and reporting to the FTC/IdentityTheft.gov.