Scam Alert: Don't trust every customer care number you see online, it could be a big scam..

Fake Customer Care Number Scam: In today's digital age, cybercriminals are devising increasingly novel methods to defraud people. While the internet has undoubtedly simplified many aspects of life, it has simultaneously enabled scammers to ensnare individuals in their schemes with alarming ease. A recent incident has come to light in which an individual was defrauded of ₹12 lakh after calling a customer care number found via an internet search. In this context, we explain today how this scam operates and the measures one can take to avoid it. This information was shared by the Indian Cyber ​​Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, through its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

**What is the full story?**
According to the I4C's official X handle, a retired Army officer from Chandigarh needed to send a parcel. He searched for "Blue Dart customer care number" on the internet and called the number displayed in the search results. Initially, he was asked to pay ₹10 under the pretext of a "home pickup" service. Immediately thereafter, an APK file was sent to him via WhatsApp, ostensibly to provide "tracking updates." The moment he installed the file, the fraudsters gained remote access to his phone; shortly thereafter, ₹12 lakh was siphoned off from his bank account.

**How ​​does the scam work?**
According to the I4C's official X handle, scammers utilize Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques to manipulate search engine results, causing fake websites and fraudulent phone numbers to rank at the top. Consequently, when a user searches for a customer care number, these fake numbers appear prominently at the top of the list. Due to a lack of awareness, users fall victim to this scam and end up losing their hard-earned money.

**Essential Tips for Staying Safe**
Do not blindly trust customer care numbers displayed in search results.

Fake websites and phone numbers may appear online specifically to mislead users.

Never install APK files or unknown applications received via WhatsApp or any other messaging platform.

Always verify customer care details exclusively through the company's official website.
**What to do if you fall victim to a scam?**

If you or someone you know falls victim to any kind of scam, report it immediately at https://cybercrime.gov.in/ or call 1930.

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