We all use Google to search for almost everything. It is quick and convenient to know anything. But scammers have also found a way to take advantage of this habit, turning a simple Google search into a trap that can cost you your hard-earned money.
A father and daughter from Ranchi learnt this lesson the hard way. They lost Rs. 90,000 to cyber criminals. Their setup box for a fiber internet had run out of recharge. The daughter searched for a customer care number on Google. She contacted the number she found.
The person on the phone sent her some text messages. Unknowingly, when she clicked on the links in those messages, a large amount of money was withdrawn from her bank account.
The fraudster did not stop there. He then got both the daughter and her father on a conference call. He promised to refund the money but instead sent more messages. This led to more money being stolen directly from the father’s account.
It was only after the money was gone that they realized they had been scammed. In total, the cyber criminals stole Rs. 90,000 from their accounts.
In another incident, a man from Thane looking for an airline’s helpline to get a ticket refund ended up calling a fake number and lost Rs. 4.8 lakh.
This incident serves as a serious warning for everyone to be very careful when searching customer support numbers online.
Fake Customer Care Number Scam
Many have been scammed by fake customer care numbers that appear on Google search or Google Maps. Google allows users and businesses to add listings, and scammers use this loophole to create fake profiles.
When users type something like “Airtel customer care number” or “Indigo helpline,” they often see numbers that look genuine. Some even have business listings, addresses, or fake “verified” badges. But these are not real.
They are carefully created by scammers who know how to trick Google’s algorithm and make their numbers appear among the top results by using popular keywords (SEO).
This way, if anyone search customer care numbers on Google, they probably dial the first number from the search results.
Once someone calls, the person on the other end speaks just like an actual customer service agent. They might offer help with refunds, account issues, or technical support. They often ask for card details, UPI IDs, or OTPs.
In some cases, they convince the caller to download screen-sharing apps like AnyDesk or QuickSupport. As soon as you allow access, the scammer can see everything on your phone and empty your bank account within minutes.
How To Avoid This Trap
The main reason such scams work is that people trust Google’s search results without checking the source.
To stay safe, you should not blindly rely only on Google search results for customer care numbers.
It’s always better to visit the official website or verified social media page of the company to find the correct contact information.
If someone is asking for OTPs, passwords, or requests to download apps for “technical help,” that’s a clear sign of fraud. One should immediately hang up
When in doubt, it’s safer to use in-app support features, instead of searching for phone numbers online.
If you have already lost money due to financial fraud or are a victim of cyber-crime, please report at cyber crime helpline number 1930 or website www.cybercrime.gov.in.
Title:SCAMSPLAINER: Beware of Fake Customer Care Numbers on Google
Fact Check By: Mayur DeokarResult: Insight
We all use Google to search for almost everything. It is quick and convenient to know anything. But scammers have also found a way to take advantage of this habit, turning a simple Google search into a trap that can cost you your hard-earned money.
A father and daughter from Ranchi learnt this lesson the hard way. They lost Rs. 90,000 to cyber criminals. Their setup box for a fiber internet had run out of recharge. The daughter searched for a customer care number on Google. She contacted the number she found.
The person on the phone sent her some text messages. Unknowingly, when she clicked on the links in those messages, a large amount of money was withdrawn from her bank account.
The fraudster did not stop there. He then got both the daughter and her father on a conference call. He promised to refund the money but instead sent more messages. This led to more money being stolen directly from the father’s account.
It was only after the money was gone that they realized they had been scammed. In total, the cyber criminals stole Rs. 90,000 from their accounts.
In another incident, a man from Thane looking for an airline’s helpline to get a ticket refund ended up calling a fake number and lost Rs. 4.8 lakh.
This incident serves as a serious warning for everyone to be very careful when searching customer support numbers online.
Fake Customer Care Number Scam
Many have been scammed by fake customer care numbers that appear on Google search or Google Maps. Google allows users and businesses to add listings, and scammers use this loophole to create fake profiles.
When users type something like “Airtel customer care number” or “Indigo helpline,” they often see numbers that look genuine. Some even have business listings, addresses, or fake “verified” badges. But these are not real.
They are carefully created by scammers who know how to trick Google’s algorithm and make their numbers appear among the top results by using popular keywords (SEO).
This way, if anyone search customer care numbers on Google, they probably dial the first number from the search results.
Once someone calls, the person on the other end speaks just like an actual customer service agent. They might offer help with refunds, account issues, or technical support. They often ask for card details, UPI IDs, or OTPs.
In some cases, they convince the caller to download screen-sharing apps like AnyDesk or QuickSupport. As soon as you allow access, the scammer can see everything on your phone and empty your bank account within minutes.
How To Avoid This Trap
The main reason such scams work is that people trust Google’s search results without checking the source.
To stay safe, you should not blindly rely only on Google search results for customer care numbers.
It’s always better to visit the official website or verified social media page of the company to find the correct contact information.
If someone is asking for OTPs, passwords, or requests to download apps for “technical help,” that’s a clear sign of fraud. One should immediately hang up
When in doubt, it’s safer to use in-app support features, instead of searching for phone numbers online.
If you have already lost money due to financial fraud or are a victim of cyber-crime, please report at cyber crime helpline number 1930 or website www.cybercrime.gov.in.
Title:SCAMSPLAINER: Beware of Fake Customer Care Numbers on Google
Fact Check By: Mayur DeokarResult: Insight