How to identify and avoid tech support scams
Don't let scammers turn your trust into their payday
Your Netflix is buffering. Again. You've got that spinning wheel of death mocking you, and all you want is to binge-watch your show in peace.
So, you do what any reasonable person does—you Google "Netflix support." First result? Looks legit. You click it. You land on what's obviously Netflix's real website. There's even a support number sitting right there, practically begging you to call.
Plot twist: That number? It's about as legitimate as a three-dollar bill.
Welcome to the wonderfully twisted world of search parameter injection. Don't worry—despite the fancy name, this scam is surprisingly simple to understand. And it is even simpler to avoid once you know what you're looking for.
The scam that's hiding in plain sight
Here’s what makes this scheme so devilishly clever: why build a fake site when you can hijack trust from the real one?
Scammers buy sponsored ads targeting keywords like "Bank of America support" or "Apple help." But here's where it gets interesting—their ads actually do take you to the legitimate company website. Your browser's happy. The URL looks right. Everything seems normal.
Except it's not.
These digital pickpockets have rigged the URL with malicious code that makes their fake phone number appear in the search results on the real site. It's like having someone sneak into your house, replace your emergency contact list with their number, but leave everything else exactly where it belongs. You'd never notice the switch.
Your browser sees Netflix.com and gives you the green light. You see the familiar red-and-black branding and your guard drops. Meanwhile, that innocent-looking phone number is actually a direct hotline to Scammer Central, where someone's just waiting to make your day infinitely worse.
When things start looking fishy
Now, before you start second-guessing every phone number you've ever seen, let's talk about the warning signs. These scammers are clever, but they're not perfect.
Trust your gut when something feels off. Maybe a phone number mysteriously appears in the website's search bar where it has no business being. Or the support number shows up before you even type anything—like its trying way too hard to get your attention.
Watch out for pages that suddenly turn into used car salesmen, pushing urgent language. "Call NOW!" "Emergency support required!" Real companies don't typically scream at you through their websites.
And here's a nerdy one that actually works: if you spot weird, encoded characters mixed with phone numbers in the URL (%20, %2B, and other digital gibberish), that's your cue to back away slowly.
Your anti-scammer toolkit
The good news? You can totally outsmart these digital con artists. It just takes a few simple habits that'll become second nature.
Double-check everything. I mean everything. Never trust the first number you see, even if it's sitting pretty on what looks like an official site. Take the scenic route—navigate to the company's main page manually and hunt down their contact info through the official "Contact Us" section. Yes, it takes an extra minute. Yes, it's worth it.
Skip the ads like they're your ex. Those sponsored search results sitting at the top of Google? Scroll right past them. Go directly to the company's website by typing the URL yourself. It's like taking the long way home to avoid traffic—sometimes the direct route isn't the safest.
Verify before you dial. When doubt creeps in (and it should), check that number against the company's verified social media accounts or dig up previous emails they've sent you. Legitimate companies are consistent with their contact information.
Trusting your instincts like your life depends on it. If the person on the phone starts asking for your password, bank details, or wants to install software on your computer, hang up faster than you'd end a conversation with a telemarketer. Real support teams don't operate like that. Ever.
Report scam phone numbers.Reporting suspicious phone numbers helps stop scammers in their tracks and protects others from falling victim to tech support fraud.
The bottom line
Scammers are getting scary good at looking legitimate. They've got websites, branding, even confidence. But here's what they can't fake—your ability to think critically and verify information.
While your work computer might be wrapped in layers of enterprise security that would make Fort Knox jealous, your personal devices are sitting ducks for these sophisticated cons.
Taking an extra 30 seconds to verify a phone number could save you from spending your weekend on the phone with your bank, explaining how someone in another country somehow got access to your account. Your skepticism isn't paranoia—it's intelligence in action.
P.S. - If something feels fishy about a support call, it probably smells that way for a reason. When in doubt, hang up and call back using a number you've verified independently. Your future self will send you a thank-you card.