Beware of these scams on Google that may risk your money

Scamsters discover a new way every other day to dupe innocent people. They found Google search as the latest fraud tool. Please note that this is not a hack or weakness from Google's end. This is simply the exploitation of a service that Google made to help internet users.

Google has become part and parcel of our lives and everyone who uses a smartphone or a computer. The applications and services of the technological giant are trendy, which also makes it a target for cybercriminals.

We all have a habit to Google search to find information about local businesses or anything we need. Be careful if you Google search to get the customer care number of some service as it might prove to be costly if you get the wrong number. Recently, a woman searched for the customer care number of Swiggy Go, and she lost Rs 95,000 as she contacted a fraudster to get her issue resolved.

These are the most common 'Google scams' happening and what you need to know.

1) Scamsters post fake customer care numbers through fake websites in Google Search listings

Fraudsters post fake business listings and customer care numbers on websites. Innocent people tend to believe that these are original customer care numbers. This has happened with apps like Zomato, Swiggy, Paytm and even government organisations.

2) People get trapped by calling these fake numbers found on Google search

People never think about whether the number displayed is real or fake. They call on the number located on Google search.

3) Scamsters change the contact number of places to scam people

Google allows users to edit contact details of shops/banks and other establishments on Google Maps and Google search to give better services. Fraudsters take advantage of this and change the contact number of places to scam people.

4) The fraudster pretends as a customer care executive asks personal details to confirm the call

In an attempt to make the person believe that the call is real, the fraudster asks for personal details, including banking information, to confirm the call.

5) The fraudster might ask to download an app or send a link on the victim's phone

6) Many times, the app could either be AnyDesk or TeamViewer or any other remote desktop sharing app

With remote desktop sharing apps, the user shares the screen sharing code to the fraudster. This code enables him to see whatever the victim is doing on his/her phone secretly.

7) The fraudster uses the 'Request Money' option to dupe people, in case of UPI scams.

8) It is strictly warned not to rely on Google search for customer care contact details. Visit official websites if you need any such information.