Scammers exploit AI-powered chatbots and search overviews to spread fraudulent phone numbers, putting users at risk
A recent report by cybersecurity firm Aurascape reveals that fraudsters are deliberately planting fake customer-support phone numbers across the internet.
These false numbers then get picked up by large-language-model systems and AI-powered search assistants, which may present them as legitimate contact options.
As a result, unsuspecting users calling those numbers may end up dealing with scammers rather than official support personnel.
According to the report, scammers employ several techniques from inserting fake contact details on trusted domains, to using user-generated platforms like reviews or Q&A sites in formats that AI systems are likely to index as authoritative.
As AI assistants and summarization features become more popular for quick answers, many users might assume that the contact information they get from them is accurate and may call those numbers when seeking help or support.
When those numbers are fraudulent, it can lead to scams, financial loss, identity theft, or worse. This underlines how the convenience of AI can become a trap if not backed by reliable verification.
This phenomenon represents a new evolution in an old problem: scammers have long abused search engines and deceptive webpages to lure victims with fake support numbers or tech-support scams.
What’s changing now is that AI trusted for its speed and authority may be inadvertently amplifying these risks.
As more people rely on AI for advice or contact info, experts warn that stricter safeguards, better data-quality filters, and increased user caution are urgently needed.
