When something goes wrong with a purchase or reservation, most people do the same thing: search for a customer service number and call. It feels quick and easy, but scammers are taking advantage of that moment.

Fake support numbers now show up across industries, from travel and retail to utilities and tech. They often appear in ads or near the top of search results, designed to look like the real thing. One wrong call can expose your card details or give a fraudster access to your accounts.

Here’s how it usually plays out. You call a number you believe is legitimate. The person on the line sounds professional and may already know basic details about the company you’re trying to reach. Then comes a problem: your account is locked, your order didn’t process or your reservation needs to be “reissued.” To fix it, they ask for payment information, login credentials or a one-time passcode.

A few warning signs can help you spot trouble early. Be cautious if you found the number through a sponsored search ad instead of the company’s official site. Pay attention if the representative pushes you to act quickly or insists on a fee to resolve a routine issue. Requests to pay with gift cards, wires or a different card than the one on file are also strong signals something isn’t right. So are instructions to download software or share verification codes.

The safest move is to slow down and choose how you make contact. Go directly to the company’s official website or mobile app rather than relying on search results. Use contact details from a billing statement, confirmation email or the back of your card. When possible, log in to your account to manage the issue instead of calling.

If you think you may have shared information with a scammer, act quickly. Contact your bank or card issuer to secure your accounts, monitor for unusual activity and update your passwords. You can also report the incident at reportfraud.ftc.gov to help others avoid the same situation.

These scams work because they meet people in stressful moments. A brief pause to verify who you’re speaking with can make all the difference.

If something doesn’t feel right, your Pinnacle advisor can help you think through next steps and keep your accounts protected.