You called a fake customer care number? How to recover

Looking up a customer care number online feels harmless, but scammers plant fake numbers that show up in search results and on random websites. If you called one and they asked you to share an OTP, install an app, or pay a small refund fee, you have hit this scam. Act quickly and you can limit the damage.

Never install a screen sharing app or share an OTP with anyone who called you or whose number you found in a search. Real customer care never needs remote access to your phone or your one time password.

What to do right now

End the call and do not call the number back.
If they made you install an app like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or any screen sharing tool, uninstall it at once and turn your phone to airplane mode until you have.
Call your bank's real fraud number and ask them to block your card and freeze your account.
Call 1930 and file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in.
Change the passwords and UPI PIN for any account you may have exposed, using a device you trust.

Find real helpline numbers only on the company's own official website, on your bank's app, or on the back of your card. Never trust a number from a random search result, a social media comment, or an unknown message.

If you gave them remote access

A screen sharing app lets a scammer see everything you type, including passwords and OTPs. Uninstall it, then treat your accounts as exposed. Reset passwords, change your UPI PIN, and watch your accounts closely for a few weeks. Tell your bank exactly what happened so they can flag your account.

Report the fake number

You can report the fraudulent number so others do not fall for it. Use the Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal to flag suspected fraud calls and messages, and include the number in your complaint on cybercrime.gov.in.

Common questions

I shared an OTP with fake customer care. What now?

Call your bank's real fraud number immediately and ask them to block the card and freeze the account, then call 1930 and file on cybercrime.gov.in. Change your passwords and UPI PIN from a device you trust.

How did a fake number show up in my search?

Scammers plant fake helpline numbers on websites, listings, and social media so they appear in searches. Always get numbers from the company's official website or app, not from a general search result.

I installed an app they told me to. Is that dangerous?

Yes. Screen sharing apps let them watch everything you do. Uninstall it right away, reset your passwords and UPI PIN, and monitor your accounts. Report the incident on 1930 and cybercrime.gov.in.

Where do I report the fake number?

Use the Chakshu facility on the Sanchar Saathi portal to report fraud calls and messages, and add the number to your complaint on cybercrime.gov.in.

Want the exact steps for your bank and your case, with complaint emails ready to send? It takes about a minute.

Build my recovery plan