A fake customer care number listed for a Mangalore service cheated me; how to act?
AS Asked by Ashok Yadav from India
Quick Answer
A fake customer care number is prosecuted under Sections 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66D of the IT Act for cheating by personation.
Detailed Legal Analysis
A fake customer care number is prosecuted under Sections 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66D of the IT Act for cheating by personation. File an FIR at the Mangalore cyber police station and report the number to the telecom operator and the search engine that listed it.
The platform is obliged under the IT Rules, 2021 to remove the listing on a verified complaint within 24 hours. The Karnataka High Court can direct the search engine and the telecom operator to take down the number and disclose the registered owner.
Karnataka Rent Control Act 1999 consumer protection rules allow a parallel complaint against the genuine service provider for failing to monitor its brand listings. Preserve the call recording, the search result screenshot and the payment receipt as evidence.
Always verify customer care numbers on the official website rather than search results.
Disclaimer: AI-generated for educational purposes only. Does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.