This wasn’t just another scam call. It was a glimpse into how dangerously fast our personal data may be slipping through invisible cracks.
When Swapnil Srivastav, founder of Kidbea, placed an online order with Rare Rabbit, it felt routine. Two days later, his phone rang. On the other end was a calm, professional-sounding woman claiming his card payment had not reflected in their system. She requested that he make the payment again, assuring him that the earlier amount would be refunded. For a brief second, it sounded completely legitimate. And that’s what makes it alarming. Then his founder instinct kicked in.
Srivastav began asking simple verification questions. The tone shifted. The caller grew irritated, abruptly disconnected, and never called back. The following day, his product was delivered without any issue confirming that the original payment had gone through successfully.
Ordered from Rare Rabbit 2 days back.
I get a call from a very professional sounding girl saying my card payment hasn’t reflected in their system and I need to pay again. She says the earlier amount will be refunded.
For a moment it actually sounded genuine.
Then my founder…
— Swapnil Srivastav (@theswapnilsri) February 11, 2026
That’s when the real concern surfaced.
How did the caller know he had placed an order? How did they know he had paid by card? How did they have his phone number and the exact brand name all within 24 hours?
As Srivastav pointed out, this does not feel like random spam. The accuracy of the information suggests access to transactional data. In today’s digital commerce ecosystem where payment gateways, logistics partners, customer databases, and third-party integrations intersect even a single weak link can expose customer details at alarming speed.
This is not merely about one founder narrowly avoiding fraud. It reflects a larger pattern of data leaks that seem to move at “bullet train speed.” If scammers can access near real-time purchase information, the implications are serious for consumers, startups, and established brands alike.
The warning here is urgent.
Consumers must treat every unexpected payment request with caution, no matter how convincing it sounds. Businesses must re evaluate their data security frameworks, audit vendor chains, and strengthen safeguards beyond basic compliance requirements.
Trust is the backbone of digital commerce. And every potential data breach whether confirmed or suspected weakens it. Srivastav’s experience is not just a scare story. It is a wake-up call.
