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Tech Support Scams

4 minute read

Pop-ups and calls claiming your computer is infected.

How It Works

The Pop-up Version:

  1. A pop-up appears saying your computer is infected with a virus
  2. It tells you to call a phone number immediately
  3. The “technician” asks for remote access to your computer
  4. They “find problems” and charge hundreds to “fix” them
  5. Or they steal data while they have access

The Phone Call Version:

  1. Someone calls claiming to be from “Microsoft,” “Windows,” or your internet provider
  2. They say they’ve detected a virus or problem on your computer
  3. Same as above—they want remote access and money

What It Looks Like

Pop-up warning:

⚠️ VIRUS DETECTED!

Your computer is infected with 3 viruses!

Call Microsoft Support immediately: 1-888-XXX-XXXX

DO NOT TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER!

The pop-up might:

  • Play loud alarm sounds
  • Flash red
  • Go full-screen and seem impossible to close
  • Display your IP address to seem “real”

Phone call script:

“Hello, this is the Windows Technical Support Department. We’ve detected suspicious activity coming from your computer. I need to help you remove a virus.”

Red Flags

  • Pop-up won’t close or goes full-screen
  • Alarm sounds playing
  • Urgency and threats
  • Phone number in a pop-up (real security software doesn’t do this)
  • Caller claims to be from “Microsoft” or “Windows”
  • Asks for remote access to your computer
  • Wants payment by gift card, wire transfer, or crypto
  • Pressure to act immediately

The Truth

Microsoft, Apple, Google, and your internet provider will NEVER:
  • Call you about viruses on your computer
  • Show pop-ups with phone numbers to call
  • Ask for remote access out of the blue
  • Ask for payment via gift cards

Real security software handles threats automatically. It doesn’t ask you to call a phone number.

How to Handle Pop-ups

  1. Don’t call the number
  2. Close the browser:
    • Mac: Press Command + Q
    • Windows: Press Alt + F4
    • Or use Task Manager / Force Quit
  3. Restart your computer if needed
  4. The “infection” will be gone—because it was never real

The pop-up itself is the scam. There’s no actual virus.

How to Handle Calls

  1. Hang up immediately
  2. Don’t engage or try to “test” them
  3. If you’re worried about your computer, take it to a local repair shop you trust

If You Already Gave Remote Access

  1. Disconnect from the internet immediately (unplug ethernet or turn off WiFi)
  2. Don’t turn off the computer yet
  3. Take it to a trusted professional for malware scanning
  4. Change your passwords from a DIFFERENT device
  5. Monitor bank accounts for unauthorized charges
  6. Consider a factory reset to be safe

More steps: I think I was scammed →