Tech Support Scams
Tech support scams use alarming pop-ups, fake virus warnings, or cold calls to convince victims their computer is infected or compromised. The scammers then charge for unnecessary services, install malware, or steal personal information through remote access.
Common Tactics
- • Browser pop-ups with fake virus alerts and a phone number to call
- • Cold calls claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or your ISP
- • Fake "security scans" that always find critical problems
- • Requesting remote access to your computer to "fix" the issue
- • Locking the victim's browser in full-screen mode with a fake "Windows has been locked" screen, making it appear the entire operating system is frozen and unresponsive
- • Convincing victims to purchase gift cards (Apple, Google Play, Steam) as payment for the fake tech support services, since gift cards are untraceable once redeemed
- • After gaining remote access, intentionally disabling security software and installing actual malware or keyloggers to steal banking credentials and personal files for later exploitation
How to Identify
- Legitimate companies never show pop-ups asking you to call a phone number
- Microsoft, Apple, and Google will never cold-call you about computer problems
- Real antivirus software doesn't use browser pop-ups with phone numbers
- Anyone asking for remote access to your computer unsolicited is likely a scammer
- Real tech support will never ask you to pay using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency — these payment methods are demanded because they are untraceable
- The pop-up or caller creates extreme urgency, claiming hackers are "actively accessing your bank account right now" or that your computer will be "permanently damaged" if you do not act immediately
- The scammer asks you to open Event Viewer or run system commands to show you "errors" — these are normal system logs that exist on every computer and do not indicate any real problem
How to Protect Yourself
- Close any browser pop-up claiming your computer is infected — it's fake
- Never give remote access to anyone who contacts you unsolicited
- Install reputable antivirus software and keep it updated
- If you need tech support, contact the company directly through their official website
- If your browser is locked in full-screen mode by a fake warning, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete (Windows) or Cmd+Option+Esc (Mac) to force-close the browser — do not call the displayed number
- If you already gave a scammer remote access, immediately disconnect from the internet, change all passwords from a different device, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software, and contact your bank
- Tell elderly relatives and less tech-savvy family members about these scams — according to the FTC, adults over 60 are the most targeted demographic for tech support fraud
Real-World Examples
In the United States, a Google search ad for "Amazon customer service" led to a fake support number — scammers gained remote access to the victim's PC, installed keylogging software, and drained their bank account within days.
In the UK, elderly victims received cold calls from people claiming to be from BT (British Telecom) or TalkTalk, warning of a "compromised broadband connection" and requesting remote access to fix the issue — the scammers then installed spyware and stole online banking credentials.
In India, tech support scam call centers operating from cities like Kolkata and Noida cold-called victims in the US, UK, and Australia, posing as Microsoft or Apple support — after gaining remote access, they charged hundreds of dollars for removing non-existent viruses.
In Australia, a full-screen browser pop-up mimicking a Telstra security warning told victims their computer was compromised and to call a 1300 number immediately — the scammers collected payment in AUD via gift cards from Woolworths and Coles.
In Japan, pop-up scams on popular Japanese websites displayed fake virus warnings with phone numbers to call, targeting elderly users — the scammers instructed victims to purchase iTunes gift cards at convenience stores like 7-Eleven and FamilyMart as payment.
In South Africa, scammers impersonated Vodacom and MTN technical support, calling customers to warn of SIM card compromise and requesting remote access to smartphones — they then accessed banking apps like FNB and Capitec to transfer funds.