Customer Care Fraud – Scam Warning!

Whenever we face any problem while using any products or services, we prefer to contact customer support for assistance. But are you aware that cybercriminals are tricking people through fake Customer care numbers? This scam is generally known as “customer care fraud”. 

If you want to understand this scam in detail, then stay tuned in until this article’s end

Everything About this Scam 

In this customer care fraud, con artists pretend to be a company’s actual customer care staff to defraud people to steal money or personal information. These cybercriminals connect with victims via phone calls, emails, or text messages while posing as representatives of a reputable business, such as a bank, an online store, or a tech support firm.

The scammer frequently employs convincing techniques to win the trust of their victims, including offering phoney reference numbers, speaking in an official-sounding language, and even impersonating the business’ caller ID or email address. Then, under the pretense of authenticating the victim’s identification or fixing an alleged issue with their account, they can ask for personal information, such as bank account numbers, credit card information, or social security numbers.

Once the scammers successfully steal victims’ details they may use it to steal money from the victim’s account, make unlawful transactions or apply for credit in the victim’s name, or even sell the information to other scammers on the dark web.

In this fraud, fraudsters have 2 types of methods through which they defraud people 

Let’s discuss those in our next section. 

2 Types of Strategies That Fraudsters Use in Customer Care Fraud

Here are the 2 tactics through which fraudsters try to trick innocent people into their trap. 

1. Fake Customer Care Contact Number Available on Google: Fraudsters create phoney customer service numbers and lists on Google or other search engines that may look real but lead to cyber criminals. When people dial these contact numbers, con artists may pose as customer service agents. After, then ask for personal information or payment for phoney services.
2. Fake Tech Support People Calling to Fix the Problems: In this con artists pretend to be tech support from a reputed company. And tells users that there is a technical problem with their device. After this, they may ask for remote access to the computer so that they can easily defraud the user. 

There are Various Types of this Fraud 

This trending scam contacts several types of other scams which you may know for your safety. 

• Employment Scams: Cybercriminals contact job seekers or post fake job advertising that may offer exciting jobs. After that, they will ask for the registration fee or sensitive or financial information to start the job. Typically, employment offers are fake in which people get trapped. 
• Bank Account Scams: In this, usually fraudsters pose as bank employees and claim to the user that their bank account has been compromised or suspicious activities are seen on their account. In order to fix the problem, they ask for users’ account information, such as usernames and passwords.
• Phishing Scams: Scammers persuade the victim to click on a link or submit personal information by sending phoney emails or messages that look to be from a reputable companies, such as banks or online stores. The link typically directs users to a bogus website that mimics the real one but is a spying tool. These websites is created in the intention of stealing sensitive data like credit card numbers.
• Lottery Scams:  This is the type of customer care fraud. In this fraud, Scammers tell the user they have won a sizable quantity of money in a lottery or sweepstakes, but first he/she has to pay some money or give personal information to receive their prize. Typically, the lottery or sweepstakes is fraudulent, and the victim never receives the prize money.
• Tech Support Scams: Scammers say that the victim’s computer or device is infected with malware or viruses while posing as technical assistance professionals from reputable businesses like Microsoft or Apple. After then they request the victim to download remote access software to steal their information.
• Credit Card Scams: Con artists pose as credit card representatives and claim the user that he/her card has been hacked. To fix the problem, they ask the user for their credit card details. 
• Investment Scams: First, fraudsters make promises to the user that they will get high returns on investment, such as in the stock market or real estate. After that, they usually ask for users’ information through which they con people into their trap. 
• Travel Scams: In this, cybercriminals offer fake vacation packages or offer reduce travel arrangements to users who are planning to go on vacations. For the booking, they ask their sensitive details. 
• Government Grant Scams: Scammers generally claim user that he/she is eligible for government grants or loans but first they have to pay some amount or share their information with them. 
• Social Security Scams: Cybercriminals pose as social security administration (SSSA) employees and claim the user that his/her social security number has allegedly been hacked or suspended. To address the problem, fraudsters ask for users’ social security numbers as well as other private data. 

What You Can Do for Your Safety From Customer Care Fraud? 

In this section, we will discuss some of the important safety measures through which you can keep yourself safe. Let’s have a look at them. 

1. Always remember not to disclose your personal or financial information to anyone.
2. Never click on any suspicious links 
3. Secure your device with the help of an anti-virus.
4. Make sure to create strong passwords on your every online account. A strong password should be 12 to 15 characters long and contains upper (A-Z) and lower case (a-z), digits (1-10) and symbols (~`! @#$%^&*()_-+={[}]|\:”‘<,>.?/)
5. To avoid customer care fraud, never give your device remote access to anyone.
6. The majority of financial institutions provide fraud alerts so that you can keep an eye on suspicious activities of your account. And make sure to set up warning alerts for your every account. If you get some alerts then quickly take action against it. 
7. Be wary if a business or group contacts you unexpectedly and requests your financial information through phone, email, or text. In general, trustworthy businesses won’t voluntarily get in touch with clients and request this information.
8. If a caller claims to be from a business or organization, ask for their name and contact details. Verify everything before giving them any sensitive details.
9. Make a habit of checking your bank and credit card statements regularly to find out suspicious transactions. If you notice any suspicious transaction on your account immediately report to your bank. 
10. Accidentally, if you become victim of this scam then don’t hesitate to file a complaint. To Report against this fraud go to your nearest cyber crime police station. If it is too late then no action will be taken against cyber fraud. 

Conclusion 

Don’t take customer care fraud lightly because if you do then you could be the next victim of this fraud. Always be cautious while browsing for any customer care number. And stay updated with the latest cybercrime news for this you can visit our official website “anuraagsing.com.” Stay safe!