Is it safe to allow third party to access Google Adwords account?

bbxe · #1 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 04:05 AM

Just today got a call from someone saying from Google Adwords service centre - asking me to allow him to access my a/c through API to help managing my campaigns,ads,keywords etc.
He sent me an request for that also - quoted below ( Third party name replaced with VVVV and e-mail deleted).

Has anyone used such services earlier?
Is it safe?
What are the benefits?

Quote:

Important note: VVVV has requested User Interface and API access to manage your AdWords account.

If you accept, VVVV will have access to actively change and manage your entire account, including all ads and keywords, as well as the ability to accept Terms and Conditions on your behalf. API access allows developers to manage your account via programs designed specifically for the AdWords system. Your client manager will not be able to change your account's login email and password. Learn more

Before accepting, you should contact VVVV to form an agreement.
This invitation should not be unsolicited. If you do not know the above party and feel this is an unauthorized attempt to access your account, you may contact us and report a complaint.

Do you want VVVV to manage your account?
Yes, I accept. I understand that my account will be accessed and managed on my behalf by VVVV.
No, I decline. Do not give VVVV access to my account.

aceseo · #2 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbxe

Just today got a call from someone saying from Google Adwords service centre - asking me to allow him to access my a/c through API to help managing my campaigns,ads,keywords etc.
He sent me an request for that also - quoted below ( Third party name replaced with VVVV and e-mail deleted).

Has anyone used such services earlier?
Is it safe?
What are the benefits?

Why would you let anybody tamper with stuff that costs you money?

Tell them to get lost

angilina · #3 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 12:12 PM

"someone saying from Google Adwords service centre"

looks to me like: 100% Fake/Spam. No one from Adwords center is going top contact you in this way and for managing your account.

Data · #4 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009, 04:44 PM

don't believe these kind of spams....they can cause you a lot of damage specially when it is about Google Adwords which means money.

anthony_james · #5 (**permalink**) 12-13-2009, 09:48 AM

Well, you need to make sure that the person is from google adwords department only and just based a call from someone you should not share any information to avoid scams.

jhoanna · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 09:24 AM

That's a bit weird, I have not encountered such thing. Perhaps a new scam? It's best to just ignore it.

Jim Gillum · #7 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 12:27 PM

Could that be an email for the finance minister in Nigeria?

**~CReed** · #8 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 01:27 PM

I'm not sure that anyone from Google AdWords program would call you and ask you to allow someone access to your account.

Have you gotten any clarification about this or have you just denied the request?

AirForce1 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-14-2009, 03:23 PM

I think if you are not using some creditable scripts in performing some SEO jobs automatically for you, don't give out your adwords account information. I used to use seoelite to do some jobs for me. It did ask for my adwords information. But I don't use it now, I do my seo jobs manually.

Have a nice day,

bbxe · #10 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 09:30 AM

That person again contacted me today for my confirmation.
I asked for identity verification - he just asked to call to the adwords tool-free no. and seek for him.
I did it and amazingly - got him there!
Now what - I asked him to wait for one or two days?

ScottD · #11 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 10:47 AM

I have NEVER heard of anyone calling to ask for access to AdWords...does not sound like it's on the up and up. Who made first contact? Did you reach out to him? Or did he cold call you? If it's the later...I'd ignore him.

**HTMLBasicTutor** · #12 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 02:26 PM

In agreement with the others, why would anyone from AdWords contact you?

And as far as him giving you a phone number to call, that could be fake and of course someone is going to find him in that office.

Did they answer the phone as Google Adwords? No guarantee if they did.

Why don't you look up the Google Adwords phone number yourself and try to contact him?

Do you still have the original email? Forward it to the plishing dept at Google c/w headers and ask if legit. FYI, you can tell from the headers where the email was sent from and then confirm if the IP address is actually used by Google.

thewebhostingdir · #13 (**permalink**) 12-15-2009, 11:01 PM

Just simply ignore this call if you receive again. it is totally unsafe to allow any third party to access your Google Adwords account.

joelchrist · #14 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 01:58 AM

Its all fake. Dont allow any intruder to access your account . Be safe.

Data · #15 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009, 06:43 PM

Looks like someone wants to fool the guy in the name of Google...world's most powerful brand...

**HTMLBasicTutor** · #16 (**permalink**) 12-17-2009, 02:33 PM

Another reason you shouldn't let a third party have access to your account:

Quote:

...keep in mind that your AdSense account is actually part of your Google Account. This means that you may have several Google products, such as AdSense, Gmail, AdWords, Blogger, etc, all tied to a single sign-in....

Full article: Inside AdSense: Keeping your account secure

bbxe · #17 (**permalink**) 12-18-2009, 02:30 AM

Got a call from him 5mins back - just thrown him out of the window.
Now feeling well.
Thanks for the guidance friends

frih · #18 (**permalink**) 12-18-2009, 05:11 AM

You have taken the right step. Never allow them to access adsense or adwords.
It may cause problem. After all, privacy is everything.