When a refund is delayed, a product is defective, a parcel is not delivered, a bank transaction fails, or a company does not respond, most people quickly search online for help.

They type words like “consumer complaint number”, “refund complaint”, “customer care number”, “file complaint online”, “consumer helpline”, “bank complaint support”, or “delivery refund help”.

That is exactly where many users get trapped.

Scammers create fake consumer complaint websites, fake customer-care pages, fake grievance forms, and fake helpline numbers that look official. These pages may use government-style language, company names, logos, forms, complaint IDs, WhatsApp buttons, refund options, or “support executive” numbers to look genuine.

The user believes they are filing a complaint. In reality, they may be sharing their name, phone number, address, order details, bank information, card details, UPI ID, OTP, screenshots, or device access with a fraudster.

This fraud works because the victim is already frustrated and wants quick help. A fake support person may call and say, “Your refund is approved”, “Please verify your account”, “Share the OTP”, “Install this app”, “Open your banking app”, “Scan this QR code”, or “Pay a small processing fee”.

Please remember this clearly: a genuine refund does not require your OTP, UPI PIN, banking password, card PIN, full card details, screen-sharing access, or remote-control app access.

Do not trust a website only because it appears on Google search. Do not call random customer-care numbers found online. Do not click complaint links sent through WhatsApp, SMS, Telegram, email, or social media. Do not install apps suggested by a so-called support executive.

Always use the official company website, official app, verified customer-care number, invoice, bank card, product packaging, or official email domain. Type the website yourself. Check the URL carefully. Avoid pages with spelling mistakes, strange domains, pressure language, and urgent payment instructions.

For parents and senior citizens, this is especially important. Many frauds happen because someone is trying to solve a small problem quickly: a refund, a missed delivery, a wrong product, a failed recharge, a hotel booking issue, an airline refund, or a bank complaint.

If money has been lost, call 1930 immediately. Contact your bank. Request transaction blocking or freezing. Preserve screenshots. Save the website link, phone number, WhatsApp chat, payment receipt, UPI ID, bank account details, email, complaint ID, and transaction reference number. File a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in.

A real complaint should help you recover your money. It should never give criminals access to your phone, bank account, or personal data.

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ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’

The Akancha Srivastava Foundation is India’s leading social impact initiative dedicated to advancing cyber safety awareness and education. Established in February 2017, this not-for-profit Section 8 organization is a trusted voice in promoting safe online practices across the nation.

Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:

• Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
• ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
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• Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)

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The Foundation is committed to educating, empowering, and building bridges between the public and authorities on critical cyber safety issues. Additionally, we specialize in forensics training for law enforcement, equipping them with the skills needed to tackle cybercrime effectively.

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