Premium Home Service accused of fake Google business listings [Video]

Jeff Arney is your posterboard local small businessman. For 14 years, he’s successfully run the Cottage Grove-based plumbing company, Arney Plumbing. But earlier this year, Arney said his usual flow of business dried up, and he did not know why.

“We are not getting any new clients,” he said. “I may not be in business too much longer.”

It wasn’t until a customer filed a police report, claiming they were scammed by someone they thought was Arney Plumbing, that he learned his Google Business listing had been hijacked.

“When you type in Arney Plumbing, you end up with the wrong phone number and the wrong people taking money and showing up to your house,” Arney said.

Areny reached out to KARE 11 Investigates asking for help.

That tip from a local plumber launched what would become a nationwide investigation exposing thousands …