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In recent months, an alarming phenomenon has become widespread: fake customer service numbers appearing directly on authentic pages of big brands such as Apple, HP, PayPal, Netflix and others. This new form of scam exploits a vulnerability called "search parameter injection", which allows scammers to manipulate legitimate content and fool even the most attentive users.
1. How the scam works
It all starts with a paid advertisement that appears at the top of Google search results. These ads look similar to regular links, but are marked with a small label like "Ad" or "Sponsored." Scammers pay to have them appear among the first results when users search for customer support for well-known companies. For example, a user searches for "Apple support" and clicks on a seemingly safe link. The link actually leads to an official page, such as apple.com, but it includes special parameters in the URL that alter the content displayed.
So, the user finds themselves faced with a fake phone number, integrated into the page as if it were real. By contacting that number, they end up in the hands of a fake operator who pretends to belong to official support and tries to obtain personal data, banking information or even remote access to the victim's device.
2. Why this scam is so insidious
The danger of this scam lies in its innocuous appearance. The site is authentic, the layout is identical to the official one and the domain is the right one. There are no spelling mistakes or obvious signs of phishing.
In some cases, the scam number appears before the user even enters anything into the site's internal search bar. This makes the scam difficult to spot and increases the likelihood that the victim will fall for it.
3. How to Recognize Warning Signs
- ➿ The URL contains suspicious codes such as %20, %2B, or other unusual symbols, sometimes accompanied by phone numbers.
- 🚨 The number appears at the top of the page with urgent calls to action such as "Call Now".
- ✍️ The site's search field is already populated with strange text or numbers, even though it hasn't been touched.
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| An example of a fake number inserted on the official HP website - Source: Malwarebytes |
4. How to defend yourself
To avoid falling victim to this scam, it is essential to take some precautions:
- 👆 Avoid clicking on sponsored ads: type the site address directly into your browser.
- 🕵️♂️ Carefully examineent the URL: If you notice any strange numbers or symbols, it is best to leave the page immediately.
- ✅ Only look for contacts through the official sections of the site, such as “Support” or “Contact Us”.
- ⛔ Do not share personal or banking information over the phone unless you have verified the identity of the operator with certainty.
- 🎦 Do not allow remote access to your device, unless you are absolutely sure of the legitimacy of the request.
- 🛠️ Consider using browser extensionsr such as Malwarebytes Browser Guard, which can help you detect suspicious content.
5. Conclusion
This new form of cyber fraud subtly exploits the trust that users place in big brands. The fact that everything happens on authentic sites makes the scam even harder to spot.
The key to protecting yourself is awareness: taking the time to carefully check what you see online can make the difference between safety and scam. In case of doubt, it is always better to suspend any action and contact the company's official channels directly.
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