Technology

The #1 Google search scam everyone falls for

Published

5 months ago

November 11, 2025

The #1 Google search scam everyone falls for

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When something goes wrong with your bank account or delivery, your first instinct might be to type the company name into Google and call the first customer service number you see. But that simple search has become one of the biggest traps for scammers, and it’s costing people money, privacy and even control over their phones.

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A simple Google search for a company’s customer service number can lead straight to a scam. The first result isn’t always the safest one. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

He Googled his bank’s number and lost control of his phone

Here’s how one man’s quick search for help turned into a nightmare he never expected. Gabriel wrote to us in distress, asking,

“I called my bank to check on some charges I didn’t authorize. I called the number on the bank statement, but they told me to go online. I googled the company and dialed the first number that popped up. Some foreign guy got on the phone, and I explained about the charges. Somehow, he took control of my phone, where I didn’t have any control. I tried to shut it down and hang up, but I couldn’t. He ended up sending an explicit text message to my 16-year-old daughter. How do I prove I didn’t send that message? Please help.”

Gabriel’s story is frightening, and unfortunately, it’s not rare. This type of attack is called a remote access support scam. Scammers pretend to be bank or tech support, then trick you into installing a program that gives them control of your device. Once inside, they can steal passwords, send messages or lock you out completely.

WHATSAPP BANS 6.8M SCAM ACCOUNTS, LAUNCHES SAFETY TOOL

Gabriel thought he was calling his bank, but the number was fake. Within minutes, a scammer took control of his phone and invaded his privacy. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why this scam works

Search engines reward paid ads. Scammers take advantage of this by buying ad space to appear above legitimate customer service numbers. The fake pages look professional, complete with company logos and 800 numbers that seem real.

Once you call, the fake “agent” sounds knowledgeable and polite. They build trust, then convince you to install remote access software such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer. From that point, they can control everything on your phone.

What to do if this happens to you

Gabriel, what you went through is incredibly upsetting, and you’re right to take it seriously. Here’s what to do right away:

1) Disconnect and secure your phone

Turn off your phone immediately. Restart it in Airplane Mode and don’t connect to Wi-Fi yet. Run a full antivirus scan with strong antivirus software.

2) Change all your passwords

Use a secure device that has not been compromised to reset the passwords for your key accounts, including email, cloud storage, phone carrier and banking logins. Create strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added protection on all your devices and platforms.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com

3) Contact your carrier and your bank

Let your phone provider know that your device was taken over. Ask them to check for unauthorized remote management apps or SIM-swap activity. Notify your bank’s fraud department and report the fake number you found on Google.

4) Report the explicit message

Take screenshots and save everything. Contact local police and explain that the message was sent from your number while your phone was under remote control. If a minor is involved, the case may be referred to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov).

5) Factory reset your phone

Once your data is backed up, perform a factory reset on your iPhone or Android to remove any hidden software. Reinstall only apps you recognize from the official app store.

HOW TO STOP IMPOSTOR BANK SCAMS BEFORE THEY DRAIN YOUR WALLET

Scammers use fake customer service numbers to sound convincing and gain remote access to your devices, turning a simple call for help into a digital takeover. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tips to stay safe from fake customer service scams

Falling for a fake customer service number can happen to anyone, especially when you’re in a rush or worried about your account. Here’s how to make sure you never get tricked by the same kind of scam that hijacked Gabriel’s phone.

Go directly to the company’s official website

Always type the company’s web address yourself or use the contact number printed on your card or statement. Scammers often create fake numbers that appear in search results, hoping you’ll call them instead of your real bank.

Don’t trust the first search result on Google

Search engines sell ad space to anyone, including criminals posing as real businesses. Those top “sponsored” listings can lead straight to scammers. Instead, scroll down until you find the official domain ending in .com, .org or .gov.

Never allow remote access to your phone or computer

No legitimate company needs to control your device to verify charges or fix an account issue. If someone asks you to install software like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, hang up immediately. These tools give strangers complete control of your screen and data.

Hang up if the caller pressures you to act fast

Scammers rely on panic. When someone insists you act “right now” or risk losing money, that’s a warning sign. Stay calm, hang up, and verify the problem through your bank’s official website or number.

Use strong antivirus protection

Install and regularly update a trusted antivirus app. Strong antivirus software can block remote-access tools and spyware before scammers gain access. Regular scans also detect hidden threats that may already be on your phone or computer.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

Consider using a data removal service

Many scammers find victims through data brokers that sell phone numbers and personal details. A data removal service helps erase your information from these sites. As a result, it’s harder for criminals to target you with fake customer service scams in the first place.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com

Monitor your identity with a trusted protection service

Even a short breach can expose your private information. Identity-monitoring tools alert you when your name, email or Social Security number appears on the dark web. That gives you time to act before scammers can use it.

Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.

See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The internet has made getting help easier than ever, but it has also made it easier for scammers to pretend to be helpful. The top way people are being scammed today isn’t through phishing emails or suspicious links; it’s by trusting fake phone numbers that look official. Take a few minutes to save the real customer service numbers for your bank, phone provider, and credit card company. One quick call to the wrong number could give a stranger access to your entire digital life.

With fake customer service numbers flooding search results, should Google be held responsible for protecting you from these scams? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Related Topics:Apps cybercrime email Featured Google Security smart and safe tech Smartphones

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Technology

Anthropic essentially bans OpenClaw from Claude by making subscribers pay extra

Published

6 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

Anthropic essentially bans OpenClaw from Claude by making subscribers pay extra

Starting tomorrow at 12pm PT, Claude subscriptions will no longer cover usage on third-party tools like OpenClaw.

You can still use these tools with your Claude login via extra usage bundles (now available at a discount), or with a Claude API key.

We’ve been working hard to meet the increase in demand for Claude, and our subscriptions weren’t built for the usage patterns of these third-party tools. Capacity is a resource we manage thoughtfully and we are prioritizing our customers using our products and API.

Subscribers get a one-time credit equal to your monthly plan cost. If you need more, you can now buy discounted usage bundles. To request a full refund, look for a link in your email tomorrow.

We want to be intentional in managing our growth to continue to serve our customers sustainably long-term. This change is a step toward that.

Technology

NYC schools track bathroom time with digital hall passes

Published

6 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Press Room

NYC schools track bathroom time with digital hall passes

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Leaving class for a quick bathroom break now comes with a timer for many students in New York City.

A digital hall pass system called SmartPass is rolling out across public schools. It replaces the old paper pass with a digital one. Students sign out on a classroom iPad. Then the system tracks how long they are gone.

On paper, it sounds efficient. In practice, it is stirring strong reactions.

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95% OF FACULTY SAY AI MAKING STUDENTS DANGEROUSLY DEPENDENT ON TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING: SURVEY

New York City students now use SmartPass, a digital hall pass system that tracks when they leave class, where they go and how long they are gone. (Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

How the SmartPass digital hall pass works

SmartPass logs when a student leaves class and tracks how long they are out and where they go. Teachers can view that information in real time, which gives them a live snapshot of student movement during the school day. SmartPass says the system is designed to improve safety, reduce disruptions and give staff better visibility into student movement.

The system keeps a running total of time spent outside the classroom. It can also limit how many students are allowed in the hallway at once. In some cases, it can flag or block overlapping passes between students. Schools can also restrict when passes are allowed, depending on the schedule or specific rules set by staff.

Supporters say this helps reduce disruptions and keeps students accountable. They also argue it improves safety during emergencies because staff can quickly see who is out of class. However, that is only one side of the story.

Students say SmartPass feels like surveillance

Many students are not buying the “efficiency” argument. Some say the system makes them feel rushed during basic needs. Others worry about being constantly monitored.

One student described it as uncomfortable, like someone is always watching. Another said it turns something simple into a stressful countdown.

There are also reports of strict time limits. In some cases, students say teachers set very short timers for bathroom use. That can create awkward situations fast.

And then there are loopholes. Students have figured out ways to sign out under someone else’s name. That can block another student from leaving class at all.

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A digital hall pass system in New York City schools is raising questions about privacy, student trust and whether tracking tools belong in everyday school life. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

SmartPass raises growing privacy concerns

Privacy advocates are raising bigger concerns. Critics say tools like SmartPass go too far.

“Hyper invasive, error-prone AI surveillance technologies have no place in school bathrooms,” said Charlotte Pope, Equal Justice Works Fellow at the NYCLU. “Third-party surveillance products, like the electronic hall passes, put students’ sensitive, personal data at the whims of for-profit corporations, unnecessarily put even more punitive discipline into students’ lives, and add more fuel to the school-to-prison pipeline. For generations, students went to the bathroom without big brother watching just fine – the difference is that now, companies are making money off it.”

The fear is not only about today. It is about what happens to that data later. School officials say the system meets strict privacy rules. They also say schools are not required to use it. Still, critics argue that once data is collected, the risk never fully disappears.

How much NYC is spending on SmartPass

There is also a financial angle. New York City reportedly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on SmartPass contracts in recent years. That breaks down to a few thousand dollars per school.

At the same time, the city faces major budget gaps. That raises a fair question. Should schools invest in tracking tools or focus on staffing and facilities? Students are asking that question too.

Why this conversation is not going away

Technology in schools is not new. But the level of tracking is changing. What used to be a simple hall pass is now a data point. Multiply that across a school day, and you start to see a pattern forming.

Some people see that as progress. Others see it as overreach. Either way, tools like SmartPass are likely just the beginning.

TIM TEBOW URGES SUPREME COURT TO MAKE BIG TECH ‘PROTECT KIDS OVER PROFIT’ IN CSAM CASE

SmartPass is rolling out in New York City public schools, replacing paper hall passes with a digital system that logs student movement in real time. (Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

What this means to you

Even if you are not a student in New York, this trend still matters. Digital monitoring tools are becoming part of everyday life. You can now find them in schools, workplaces and public spaces.

As a result, data collection is starting to feel normal in places where it never used to exist. Even simple systems can build detailed profiles over time. That information can reveal patterns about behavior without people realizing it.

At the same time, convenience often comes with tradeoffs. Tools that make things easier can also reduce privacy. Once these systems are in place, they rarely stay limited. They tend to expand and track more over time.

If you have kids, it is worth asking how their school collects and stores data. If you are a student, you have a right to understand what is being tracked and why it matters.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

There is a real balance to strike here. Schools want safety and structure. Students want trust and privacy. Those goals do not always line up. SmartPass sits right in the middle of that tension. It promises control and visibility. It also raises questions about how much monitoring is too much. The bigger issue may not be this one system. It is the direction things are heading.

If tracking tools become standard in schools, where should the line be drawn between safety and personal space? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Technology

NASA did eventually solve Artemis II’s Outlook glitch

Published

18 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Press Room

NASA did eventually solve Artemis II’s Outlook glitch

On Thursday, during Artemis II’s journey to the Moon, commander Reid Wiseman ran into a tech issue some of us back on Earth can relate to: Microsoft Outlook wasn’t working. In a conversation captured in NASA’s Artemis livestream and shared on Bluesky, Wiseman reported to Mission Control: “I also see that I have two Microsoft Outlooks and neither one of those are working.”

To take care of the issue, Mission Control had to remotely access Wiseman’s personal computing device (PCD), a Microsoft Surface Pro. During a press conference on Thursday, Artemis flight director Judd Frieling said NASA had fixed the issue, stating, “This is not uncommon. We have this on-station all the time. You know, sometimes Outlook has issues getting configured, especially when you don’t have a network that’s directly connected. And so essentially we just had to reload his files on Outlook to get it working.”

NASA uses a combination of its Near Space Network and Deep Space Network to stay in touch with Artemis II, relying on a mix of antennas around the world and satellites in orbit. Mission Control at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas has to shift communications between these networks as Artemis II gets further away from Earth.

Aside from the Microsoft Surface Pro, the Artemis II crew’s gear list also includes Nikon D5 DSLR cameras, a ZCube video encoder, and handheld GoPro cameras for filming content for a Disney/National Geographic documentary. The crew was also allowed to bring their phones with them — you can even see their phones being stowed away in their spacesuit pockets in NASA’s livestream.