Supreme Marketing Group (d/b/a Small Business Solutions) is being put out of business following a lawsuit by Google claiming the firm falsely told local businesses in sales calls that it was affiliated with the search giant.
A number of small business owners will receive misleading or fraudulent calls regarding Google My Business and SEO from entities or individuals that prey on their lack of digital marketing sophistication. Periodically, Google has made efforts on cracking down on this type of activity. In May of 2018, Google filed lawsuits against several firms that were scamming SMBs.
In a move of consent, the firm agreed to a judgement that, among a number of other things, provides that the company and its executives will not be able to engage in future commercial activity “relating to any Google offering.” The firm even has to pay out $750,000 and the individual executives must pay an extra $100,000, in which Google intends to donate the money.
Not only is the company going to be dissolved, but it is will be required to notify all customers who were scammed, apologize and tell them it’s not affiliated with Google. Finally, the executives will be required to certify that they’re complying with the judgment for three years.