Navigating the online marketplace of eBay can sometimes require assistance, leading many users to search for an “Ebay Customer Service Phone Number.” However, a concerning trend has emerged: tech support scammers are exploiting this need by creating fraudulent advertisements, particularly on platforms like Google Ads, to ensnare unsuspecting eBay customers. These deceptive ads, designed to mimic legitimate eBay support, can lead to significant financial and personal data risks.
Recently, numerous fake advertisements have been identified targeting users seeking eBay customer support. These ads, appearing prominently in search results for terms like “ebay phone number” or “ebay customer service,” are crafted by scammers operating through various advertiser accounts. While some ads are easily recognizable as fraudulent, their persistent visibility increases the likelihood of tricking users who are not paying close attention. Clicking on these malicious ads redirects victims to counterfeit websites that prompt them to call a provided number, directly connecting them to the scammers.
The sophistication of these scams is evident in ads that mimic eBay’s branding. The example shown above demonstrates a particularly deceptive ad that utilizes eBay’s brand name, logo, and website appearance. Despite stringent policies by search engines like Google regarding brand usage in ads, scammers find loopholes. They often use subdomains or URLs that appear related to the official domain, such as developer.ebay.com, to bypass these rules. This creates a false sense of security, making users believe they are interacting with a legitimate eBay service.
Upon clicking these ads, users are often taken to pages designed to further the deception. Instead of direct contact information, these pages may display a fake search portal with a pre-filled query seemingly showing an eBay customer service number. This tactic, as illustrated below, uses a fabricated search result to present a phone number as if it were officially provided by eBay, when in reality, it connects to the scam operation.
Beyond misleading Google Ads, scammers also employ fake websites hosted on various platforms, including cloud services like BitBucket, to impersonate eBay customer service. These sites are uniformly designed to quickly push users towards calling a prominently displayed phone number, reinforcing the scam’s primary objective of establishing direct phone contact.
Calling any of these unverified phone numbers can lead to significant risks. These tech support scams, often originating from overseas call centers, involve individuals who use social engineering tactics to gain remote access to your computer or phone. Their ultimate goal is financial theft, often achieved through methods like requesting gift cards or directly accessing bank accounts.
To protect yourself from these scams, it is crucial to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of any phone number you consider calling, especially if found through advertisements or unsolicited communications. A best practice is to always access customer support directly through the official website, ebay.com. There, you can find verified contact methods, including live chat or official phone numbers, ensuring you are connecting with genuine eBay support.
For enhanced online safety, consider using browser extensions like Malwarebytes Browser Guard. These tools are designed to block ads and detect phishing sites, adding an extra layer of protection against scams and malicious online activities, safeguarding your digital interactions and personal information.
Indicators of Compromise
Fake pages:
e-bays-24x7support-number[.]vercel[.]appdeveloper[.]ebay[.]come-bay24x7pluscaresupport[.]bitbucket[.]ioupbay[.]onlinee-bay24x7customer[.]casterins[.]onlinee-bay24x7-customers-services-assist[.]onrender[.]comFraudulent phone numbers:
1[-]866[-]409[-]92811[-]833[-]714[-]39701[-]805[-]372[-]1369