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When something goes wrong with your bank account or delivery, your first instinct may be to type the company's name into Google and call the first customer service number that comes up. But this simple search has become one of the biggest traps for scammers, and it's costing people money, privacy and even control of their phones.
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A simple Google search for a company's customer service number can lead directly to a scam. The first result is not always the safest. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
He Googled his bank number and lost control of his phone.
Here's how one man's quick search for help turned into a nightmare he never expected. Gabriel wrote to us in despair, asking:
“I called my bank to check on some charges that I did not authorize. I called the number on my bank statement but was told to go online. I Googled the company and dialed the first number that came up. Some foreign guy picked up the phone and I explained about the charges. Somehow he took control of my phone, which I had no control over. I tried to turn it off and hang up, but I couldn't. 16 year old daughter. How can I prove that I did not send this message? Please help.”
Gabriel's story is frightening and, unfortunately, not uncommon. This type of attack is called remote access. fraud support. Scammers pretend to be from a bank or tech support service and then trick you into installing a program that gives them control of your device. Once inside, they can steal passwords, send messages, or block you completely.
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Gabriel thought he was calling his bank, but the number turned out to be fake. Within minutes, the scammer had taken over his phone and invaded his privacy. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Why does this scam work?
Search engines reward paid advertising. Fraudsters take advantage of this by buying ad space to appear above legitimate customer service numbers. The fake pages look professional, complete with company logos and 800 numbers that appear real.
Once you call, the fake “agent” will seem knowledgeable and polite. They build trust and then convince you to install remote access software such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer. From now on, they will be able to control everything on your phone.
What to do if this happens to you
Gabriel, what you've been through is incredibly upsetting, and you're right to take it seriously. Here's what you need to do right now:
1) Disable and secure your phone.
Turn off your phone immediately. Restart it in airplane mode and don't connect to Wi-Fi yet. Run a full antivirus scan with powerful antivirus software.
2) Change all your passwords
Use a secure device that hasn't been compromised to reset passwords for your key accounts, including email, cloud storage, cell phone service, and banking accounts. Create strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security across all your devices and platforms.
Next, check to see if your email has been compromised in past hacks. Our #1 password manager (see. Cyberguy.com) Pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks to see if your email address or passwords have been involved in known breaches. If you find a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Check out the best password managers of 2025, reviewed by experts, at Cyberguy.com
3) Contact your carrier and bank.
Notify your carrier that your device has been seized. Ask them to check for unauthorized remote control applications or SIM swapping operations. Notify your bank's fraud department and report the fake number you found on Google.
4) Report an explicit message
Take screenshots and save everything. Contact your local police and explain that the message was sent from your number while your phone was under remote control. If a juvenile is involved, the case may be referred to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov).
5) Reset your phone to factory settings.
As soon as your data is backupreset your iPhone or Android remove any hidden software. Reinstall only those apps that you know from the official app store.
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Fraudsters use fake customer service numbers to appear convincing and gain remote access to your devices, turning a simple call for help into a digital hijack. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Tips to protect yourself from fake customer service scams
Falling for a fake customer service number can happen to anyone, especially if you're in a hurry or worried about your account. Here's how you can be sure you'll never be scammed by the same scammers who used Gabriel's phone.
Go directly to the company's official website
Always enter the company's web address yourself or use the contact number provided on your card or statement. Fraudsters often create fake numbers that appear in search results, hoping that you will call them instead of your real bank.
Don't trust the first result of a Google search
Search engines sell advertising space to anyone, including criminals posing as real businessmen. These top “sponsored” listings can lead straight to scammers. Instead, scroll down until you find an official domain ending in .com, .org, or .gov.
Never allow remote access to your phone or computer
No legitimate company is required to monitor your device to verify payments or troubleshoot account issues. If someone asks you to install software like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, hang up the phone immediately. These tools give strangers complete control over your screen and data.
Hang up if the caller pressures you to act quickly
Fraudsters rely on panic. When someone insists that you act “right now” or risk losing money, that's a warning sign. Keep calm, hang up and confirm the problem through the official website or your bank number.
Use reliable antivirus protection
Install and regularly update a reliable antivirus application. Powerful antivirus software can block remote access tools and spyware before scammers gain access. Regular scanning also detects hidden threats that may already be on your phone or computer.
The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your personal information is to install powerful antivirus software on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for 2025's top antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
Consider using a data removal service
Many scammers find victims through data brokers who sell phone numbers and personal information. The data removal service helps you remove your information from these sites. This makes it harder for criminals to target you with fake customer service scams.
While no service can guarantee complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is indeed a smart choice. They don't come cheap, and neither does your privacy. These services do all the work for you, actively monitoring and systematically removing your personal information from hundreds of websites. This is what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way erase your personal data from the Internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk that scammers will link leaked data to information they can find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top data removal services and get a free scan to see if your personal information has already been published online by visiting Cyberguy.com
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Control your identity with a reliable security service
Even a short breach can expose your personal information. Identity monitoring tools alert you when your name, email address, or Social Security number appears on the dark web. This gives you time to act before scammers can take advantage of it.
Identity theft companies can track personal information such as your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number, and email address and alert you if it is sold on the dark web or used to open an account. They can also help you freeze your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
Check out my tips and best practices on how to protect yourself from identity theft V Cyberguy.com
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Kurt's key takeaways
The internet has made it easier than ever to get help, but it's also made it easier for scammers to pretend to be helpful. Today, the main method of fraud is not phishing emails or suspicious links; this is trusting fake phone numbers that look official. Take a few minutes to save real customer service numbers for your bank, phone provider, and credit card company. One quick call to the wrong number could give a stranger access to your entire digital life.
If fake customer service numbers are flooding search results, should Google be responsible for protecting you from these scammers? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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