What it looks like
"Thank you for calling refund support. To process your refund, please install this app and share the code on your screen." (Illustrative)
How the fake customer care number scam works
- You search online for a company's helpline, or post a complaint on social media.
- A fake number appears in search results, ads or map listings, or a fake 'support' account replies to your complaint.
- The 'agent' sounds professional and promises a quick refund or fix.
- They ask you to install a screen-sharing app, fill a form, share an OTP or approve a UPI request.
- They use this access to take money from your account.
Red flags
- A helpline found through a search result, ad, map listing or comment, not the official site
- Support reply from an unverified social media account
- A mobile number given as a company helpline
- Asking you to install a remote access or screen-sharing app
- Asking for OTP, card number, CVV or UPI PIN to 'process a refund'
- Asking you to pay a small fee to receive a refund
What to do
- Hang up if asked for OTP, PIN, card details or to install an app.
- Find the number only from the company's official website, app, your bill, or the back of your card.
- If you installed an app or shared details, uninstall it, call your bank to block cards and UPI, and change passwords.
- Report at once: call 1930 (National Cyber Fraud Helpline) or file at cybercrime.gov.in. Speed matters, because reports help freeze money in transit.
- Report the fake listing to the search engine or platform, and report the number on Sanchar Saathi's Chakshu facility.
Protect your family
Save the real helpline numbers of your family's bank, telecom and delivery services in their phones, so elders do not need to search for them.
Also known as: fake helpline number, Google customer care scam, fake support number
Questions people ask
Are customer care numbers on Google safe?
Not always. Banks and police warn that fraudsters manipulate search results and listings. Use the number on the official website or app.
Will a real customer care agent ask for my OTP?
No. Genuine support will not ask for your OTP, CVV or UPI PIN, or ask you to install a screen-sharing app.
I gave remote access to a fake agent. What should I do?
Uninstall the app, disconnect from the internet, call your bank to block accounts, change passwords from a safe device, and report at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.