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Hi Keith, Google does sometimes make phone calls. See: http://www.localseoguide.com/hey-seos-if-google-maps-calls-dont-answer/ http://blumenthals.com/blog/2010/08/03/google-now-calling-to-confirm-google-places-community-edits-verification-issues/ http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/maps/rXf6l1sXxgo However, I am convinced that everyone on this thread is right and you were called by a marketing company. I've received calls like that, myself, in which the caller has gone out of the way to erroneously suggest that they are somehow connected to Google. When pinned down with the direct question, "You work for Google?", they have hung up the phone on me! You were smart to ask about this, Keith.

yep I have noticed this as well I reported a link directory full of spam and its seems to have gone up 3 positions.  I am going to keep an eye on it.