Our Address Is Used by a Business We Don’t Know About: How to Report It (Full Guide)

Finding out that a business you have never heard of is using your address online can be frustrating and confusing. Whether you are a homeowner, a property manager, or an actual business owner, it is important to remove the incorrect listing as soon as possible to protect your property’s reputation and avoid misleading customers. In this guide, you will learn exactly why this happens, what risks it poses, and — most importantly — how to report and fix the situation properly.

Why Would a Business Use Your Address?

Before jumping into the solution, it helps to understand why this situation happens:

1. Honest Mistakes

Sometimes businesses mistakenly enter an address when setting up a Google Business Profile.
Examples:

• A business owner accidentally inputs the wrong suite number.
• Someone uses a “nearby” location during account creation without verifying properly.

2. Bad Actors (Spam and Fake Listings)

Unfortunately, some shady businesses deliberately list themselves at fake addresses to rank better in Google Maps (a tactic called “map spamming”). Your address might have been used without your knowledge.

3. Previous Business Location

If a business used to be at your address but is no longer there, they may have failed to update their listing, causing confusion for future tenants or owners.

Real-life example:
A homeowner noticed an “Insurance Office” was listed at their residential house even though no such business had ever existed there.

Problems Caused by Someone Using Your Address

If you ignore the problem, it could lead to several issues:

• Confused Visitors: Customers may show up looking for services that do not exist at your property.
• Reputation Damage: Bad reviews left for the unrelated business could hurt your address’s online reputation.
• Legal Issues: If the fake business is involved in scams or illegal activity, it could trigger unnecessary investigations at your location.
• Loss of Trust: Future customers or clients might distrust your real business if your address is associated with spam.

Clearly, it is critical to act quickly.

How to Report and Remove the Incorrect Business Listing

Here is a complete step-by-step process:

Step 1: Check the Listing Carefully

Before reporting, double-check the business listing:

• Search for the business name and address on Google Maps.
• Open the listing and note down details like phone number, website, and business category.
• Take screenshots for your records.

Tip: Make sure you are targeting the right listing — sometimes multiple businesses share the same building but different units.

Step 2: Use “Suggest an Edit” on Google Maps

If the listing is obviously wrong:

• Open Google Maps and find the listing.
• Click or tap “Suggest an edit.”
• Choose “Remove this place.”
• Select the reason: “Never existed” or “Private residence” if appropriate.
• Submit your edit.

Google will usually review simple suggestions within a few days.

Step 3: Submit a Business Redressal Complaint Form

If “Suggest an edit” does not work or the listing persists:

• Go to the Business Redressal Complaint Form.
• Fill out:
  • Your contact information.
  • Details of the business in violation (name, address, and website if listed).
  • Nature of the violation: “Falsely claiming an address.”
  • Include a detailed explanation and attach screenshots if possible.
• Submit the form.

This method sends the case to Google’s specialized spam investigation team.

Step 4: Contact Google Business Profile Support

If the listing is still active after submitting edits and forms:

• Visit the Google Business Profile Support Help Center.
• Choose “Remove a business or fix a wrong address.”
• Request a manual review.
• Explain that your property is being wrongly listed, and provide evidence like utility bills, property tax records, or lease agreements (if needed).

Support agents can escalate the issue internally for faster resolution.

What If You Are a Business at That Address?

If you also operate a business at the address and someone else is falsely claiming it:

• Claim and verify your own business at the correct address.
• Clearly display your business signage at the location.
• Add photos, operating hours, and real contact details.
• Open a support ticket mentioning the address conflict — Google usually prioritizes verified businesses over unverified or inactive listings.

How Long Does It Take to Fix?

• Suggest an Edit: 2–7 days.
• Business Redressal Complaint Form: 1–3 weeks depending on workload.
• Support Escalation: 1–2 weeks after the first reply.

Important: Keep all your communication polite but persistent. Sometimes multiple follow-ups are necessary.

Final Words: Act Quickly If a Business Is Using Your Address

If an unknown business is using your address on Google Maps or Google Business Profile, you must act quickly to protect your reputation and prevent future problems. Start by suggesting an edit, escalate to a Business Redressal Complaint Form if necessary, and contact Google Support if the issue persists.

Removing an incorrect listing is not always instant, but with the steps outlined in this guide, you will be able to successfully clean up your address and avoid any negative consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore more such blog here – SEO Made Simple | Proven Strategies, SEO Insights and News