Beware of a dangerous new scam making the rounds. Cybercriminals are increasingly placing fake customer support phone numbers in places you might expect to find legitimate help – even seemingly on the websites of major companies or high up in search results. They are specifically targeting popular services like streaming platforms, tech giants, and large banks.
These scammers are using various methods to trick unsuspecting individuals. Sometimes, they create malicious advertisements that appear at the top of search engine results, looking just like official support links. Other times, they might exploit vulnerabilities to inject fake contact information onto seemingly legitimate web pages or use SEO poisoning to push their fraudulent numbers higher in search rankings for support queries.
When someone searches for customer service and encounters one of these fake numbers, they are connected directly to a scammer pretending to be a support agent. The fraudster will then try to coerce the victim into revealing sensitive personal information, granting remote access to their computer, or making payments for bogus services or fixes. They might claim there’s a problem with your account, a virus on your device, or a fraudulent transaction that needs immediate attention.
The goal is always to steal your money, your personal data, or take control of your online accounts. Because these fake numbers appear in contexts that feel official or trustworthy, people are more likely to fall victim. It’s a sophisticated tactic designed to exploit moments when users are already seeking help and might be stressed or in a hurry.
To protect yourself from these scams, always be highly skeptical of phone numbers you find online, especially if you reached them through a generic search. The safest way to get support for any service is to go directly to the official website by typing the known web address into your browser. Navigate through their site to find the legitimate contact information or support portal. Never call a number from an online ad or a pop-up window claiming you have a problem. Be extremely wary of anyone asking for remote access to your computer or requesting payment in gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers for technical support. Verify everything through official channels only. Staying vigilant and informed is your best defense against these evolving online threats.
Source: https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/06/20/netflix_apple_bofa_websites_hijacked/
