How to Report a Fake Customer Care Scam

Last reviewed: October 4, 2026 Reviewed by: CyberShield India Editorial Team

You order food from Swiggy, a parcel from DTDC, or have a failed transaction on Google Pay. Naturally, you Google their "Customer Care Number". You dial the first number that appears, and within minutes, money is wiped from your bank account.

This is the Fake Customer Care Scam. Scammers run paid Google Ads or manipulate Google Maps listings to display their personal phone numbers as official helplines for popular brands.

How the Scam Unfolds

1. The Fake Number: You search Google for a helpline and call the number.
2. The Impersonation: A polite person answers, pretending to be a representative of the bank, courier service, or app.
3. The Remote Access Trap: They claim they need to "verify your phone" or "initiate a refund" and ask you to download an app like AnyDesk, TeamViewer QuickSupport, or RustDesk.
4. The Theft: These apps allow them to see your mobile screen remotely. They ask you to open your banking app and type your PIN or forward an SMS. Since they can see your screen, they see the OTPs and passwords, instantly draining your account.

Immediate Emergency Steps

1. Disconnect and Uninstall

If you are still on the phone with the scammer or have installed a screen-sharing app:

• Turn off your mobile data and Wi-Fi immediately.
• Uninstall AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or the app they made you install.

2. Block Your Cards and NetBanking

Call your bank's actual official helpline (printed on the back of your debit card) from another phone. Tell them to block your debit/credit cards and freeze your NetBanking access immediately.

3. Report to 1930

Dial the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930. Inform them that you fell victim to a remote access/fake customer care scam. Provide the UTR numbers of the fraudulent deductions.

📝 Draft a Written Complaint for the Police

Filing an online complaint at cybercrime.gov.in is crucial, but you will also need a physical letter for the police station and the Bank Branch Manager to initiate an investigation and attempt a chargeback.

Create a structured cyber-fraud complaint draft from your information (Free Tool)

Use our free utility to generate a legally formatted PDF complaint. Just upload your transaction screenshot or enter the UTR numbers, and it will format the letter for you.

Crucial Reminders

• Never trust Google Search for Helpline Numbers: Always go to the official app (e.g., the Swiggy app or PhonePe app) and use the in-app support chat.
• Customer Care will never ask you to download a screen-sharing app.
• Customer Care will never ask for your UPI PIN. Your UPI PIN is only used to send money, not receive it.