Pretends to be tech support
Tech support scam
Is a pop-up or call saying my computer has a problem a scam?
Yes. Real companies do not show pop-ups with phone numbers or ask to control your computer. Close it and never give remote access or pay.
Real organizations never do this. Stop. Hang up or delete it.
Also searched as: tech support, Microsoft support, Apple support, computer virus pop-up, computer locked, hacked computer, refund scam, remote access, phantom hacker
Draft: we're still checking this page. The quotes below are word for word from their sources.
What to do
On the phone right now?
- Stop. Hang up or close the message. Don't tap anything.
- Check. Call a number you already have, like the one on your card or bill.
- Talk to someone you trust before you pay anyone.
If anyone is in danger right now, call 911.
If you already paid
- Call the company you paid through right away: your bank, card company, gift card company, or the wire or Zelle service. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
- Call the Justice Department's National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
- Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If it happened online, report it at IC3.gov too.
General information, not legal or financial advice. If you've lost money, contact your bank and report it.
How it works
1 They reach you by
- Computer pop-up
- Phone call
- Text message
- Website
2 They pretend to be
- Tech support
- Your bank
- Police or government
3 They ask for
- Control of your computer
- Money
- Gift cards
- Crypto
- Cash or gold by courier
- Personal details
What it can look like
Example pattern, not a real message
Pretends to be tech support. What gives it away:
- Pay with gift cards
- A courier picks up cash
- Pay with crypto
What they may say
“They say they refunded you too much money”
“you must call a phone number within 24 hours if you want to dispute the charge”
“you need to buy a 'high security credit card' at Lowe's in order to resolve your computer problems”
Warning signs
- They tell you to buy gift cards and read them the numbers. No real agency or company asks to be paid that way.
- They send someone to your home to pick up cash or gold. Real agencies and banks do not collect money that way.
- They want payment in cryptocurrency, or tell you to use a Bitcoin machine. That money is very hard to get back.
- They ask you to install an app so they can see or control your computer or phone.
- They contacted you, then ask for your Social Security, Medicare or bank numbers.
- They say you must pay right now or something bad will happen. Real organizations give you time to check.
Why we say this
New York Man Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison for Laundering Proceeds for Elder Fraud Scam Network
This U.S. Department of Justice press release reports the sentencing of a man who laundered money for a network that targeted older adults with fake tech-company charges and refund calls. Fraudsters sent fake charge emails or texts, then had victims transfer their own money to 'return' an over-refund or to 'protect' their accounts.
The scam targeted elderly victims with “phishing attacks” such as pop-ups and websites that impersonated trusted entities like banks and tech companies. These victims were directed to call other scammers who falsely represented they were representatives of legitimate companies such as Apple or Microsoft.
3 more quotes from this source
Some victims received a “phishing” email or text message indicating that they had received a charge on their account from the Geek squad, PayPal, or an Anti-Virus Software company. These charges never occurred and were sent to the victims by the fraudsters to lure the victims into the scheme.
Once the victims called the fraudsters, they were led to believe that these “legitimate companies” erroneously transferred an “over-refunded amount” to the victims’ bank accounts. As instructed, victims then transferred their own money back to the scammers believing that they were returning the scammers the “over-refunded amounts.”
Victims were also lied to and informed that their bank accounts had been hacked or were compromised. At least one victim was told his account was linked to child pornography. To further the scam, the fraudsters directed the victims to transfer their money to various locations to “protect” their accounts or to “catch” the scammers.
Indian National Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for Laundering Money from Fraud Scheme Targeting Elderly
A U.S. court sentenced a man to 96 months in prison for laundering money from a scheme that used fake computer pop-up warnings to reach elderly victims. The scammers posed as tech support or government officials, claimed the victims' accounts were hacked, and had them move money into gold, cash, gift cards, or bitcoin ATM deposits.
Generally, the victims were initially deceived by fraudulent computer pop-up messages warning them of a computer problem or causing their computer to freeze.
5 more quotes from this source
When victims followed instructions to call for assistance, they were instead connected to scammers posing as tech support or government representatives.
The scammers convinced victims that their accounts had been hacked and their information had been compromised, which was not true.
The scammers then instructed the victims to withdraw or transfer money under the guise that they needed to protect or safeguard their assets
Victims were directed to purchase gold and withdraw cash, turning those funds over to individuals posing as government officials.
Victims were also directed to purchase gift cards and transfer the gift card numbers to individuals falsely claiming that they would help.
Two Business Executives Plead Guilty in Tech-Support Fraud Scheme
A Buford, Georgia woman was convicted for her role in a call center scheme that used fake computer virus warnings to get seniors and others to pay for unneeded software or tech help. The scheme reportedly brought in as much as $1 million from dozens of victims across the U.S. and Canada before it was shut down.
The schemes used deceptive pop-up messages to convince computer users that their computer had been infected with viruses or malware.
2 more quotes from this source
Victims were directed to call a phone number on the pop-up message or advertisement, which connected the victims to call centers, where they were persuaded to pay hundreds of dollars for unnecessary or fictitious technical-support services.
In some instances, call center agents remotely accessed victims’ computers and obtained personal and financial information.
How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams
Scammers show a fake pop-up, call, or text saying your computer has a problem. They ask to control your computer and then ask for payment. Some pass you to a fake government worker who says your money is in danger and tells you to hand over cash or gold. Others send fake subscription-renewal bills and then claim they refunded you too much.
It could be a fake pop-up warning that looks like it’s from a well-known company and urges you to call a phone number to get help.
7 more quotes from this source
If one of these tech support impersonators gets you on the phone, they ask for remote access to your computer and pretend to scan it for viruses.
They often insist that you pay with gift cards, a wire transfer, a bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.
Because **someone who works for the government will never say you must transfer your money to “protect it.”**
The message says you must call a phone number within 24 hours if you want to dispute the charge.
They say they refunded you too much money and insist you pay them back with gift cards, a wire transfer, a bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.
Legitimate tech companies won’t contact you by phone, email, or text message to tell you there’s a problem with your computer.
Real security pop-up warnings and messages will never ask you to call a phone number.
Six Individuals Charged in Multimillion-Dollar Transnational Tech Support Scam Targeting Tens of Thousands of U.S. Victims
A Gwinnett County jury convicted Fataoumata Keita, a Buford woman, of running a scam that targeted seniors in the U.S. and Canada with fake computer virus protection software. The scheme used pop-up virus warnings that told victims to call a 1-800 number, and victims were asked to mail checks to a Buford post office box.
directed the victims to call a telephone number to receive technical support.
2 more quotes from this source
Sometimes the pop-ups warned victims to not shut down their computers.
sending, via FedEx, physical checks to addresses maintained by Singh and Kumar in New Jersey.
Las Vegas Woman Sentenced To Prison For $10 Million Tech Support Fraud Scheme That Exploited Elderly Victims
A Georgia woman was convicted for her role in a fake computer virus scheme that targeted seniors and other victims across the country. The scheme used pop-up warnings and fake customer service calls to get victims to pay for unneeded software or tech support by mailing checks.
The pop-up windows claimed, falsely, that a virus had infected the victim’s computer.
2 more quotes from this source
The pop-up window directed the victim to call a particular telephone number to obtain technical support.
In exchange for victims’ payment of several hundreds or thousands of dollars (depending on the precise “service” victims purchased), the purported technician remotely accessed the victim’s computer and ran an anti-virus tool, which is free and available on the Internet.
Las Vegas Woman Pleads Guilty To $10 Million Tech Support Fraud Scheme That Exploited The Elderly
A Georgia jury convicted a Buford woman of racketeering for her part in a call center operation that used fake computer virus pop-ups to sell unneeded software and tech help, mostly to seniors. The operation is estimated to have taken as much as $1 million from dozens of victims across the U.S. before it was shut down.
The pop-up window directed the victim to call a particular telephone number to obtain technical support.
1 more quote from this source
In fact, no virus had infected victims’ computers, and the technical support phone numbers were not associated with the legitimate technology company.
Tech Support Scams
A Georgia jury convicted Fataoumata Keita, 48, of racketeering for her role in a call center operation that tricked seniors into paying for fake computer virus protection. The scheme reportedly took as much as $1 million from victims across the United States and Canada, and she is due to be sentenced in December.
Or a number appears in a pop-up message on your screen.
2 more quotes from this source
And they tell you about viruses or other malware on your computer.
If you get an unexpected call from someone saying there’s a problem with a computer — hang up, it’s a scam.
Head of Buford-based international scam convicted
A Gwinnett County jury convicted Fataoumata Keita, a Buford woman, of running a scam that targeted seniors in the U.S. and Canada with fake computer virus protection software. The scheme used pop-up virus warnings that told victims to call a 1-800 number, and victims were asked to mail checks to a Buford post office box.
While victims were using their computers, a pop-up screen would appear stating that the device had a virus with a message prompting them to call a 1-800 number.
3 more quotes from this source
Co-defendants posing as customer service representatives directed victims whom they convinced to purchase bogus software or service to mail checks to a United States Postal Service post office box in Buford.
Often, these checks were more than $1,500, and Keita would direct some of the funds to her co-conspirators in Canada, China and India.
Beginning in 2021, Keita and other co-conspirators contacted individuals across the U.S. and Canada and deceived them into believing their computers were malfunctioning so that they could manipulate the selected victims into buying unneeded software or technical assistance.
Gwinnett woman used fake computer virus alerts to fuel $1 million scheme
A Buford woman was convicted for helping run a fake tech support operation that targeted seniors and others across the U.S. and Canada. The scheme used fake virus pop-ups to get people to pay for unneeded software and services by mailing checks to a post office box.
Victims would see a pop-up message on their computers warning of a virus and instructing them to call a 1-800 number.
3 more quotes from this source
Those who called were directed by people posing as customer service representatives to buy unnecessary software or technical support.
After convincing victims to pay for the bogus services, the conspirators instructed them to mail checks to a U.S. Postal Service post office box in Buford. Many of the checks exceeded $1,500, according to prosecutors.
“Taking advantage of citizens using fake computer services is unconscionable and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said. “But preying on senior citizens and targeting seniors will not be tolerated.”
Woman Convicted in $1 Million Call Center Scam
A Georgia jury convicted a Buford woman of racketeering for her part in a call center operation that used fake computer virus pop-ups to sell unneeded software and tech help, mostly to seniors. The operation is estimated to have taken as much as $1 million from dozens of victims across the U.S. before it was shut down.
Beginning in 2021, Keita and other co-conspirators contacted individuals across the United States and Canada and deceived them into believing their computers were malfunctioning so that they could manipulate the selected victims into buying unneeded software or technical assistance.
4 more quotes from this source
While victims were using their computers, a pop-up screen would appear stating that the device had a virus with a message prompting them to call a 1-800 number.
Co-defendants posing as customer service representatives directed victims whom they convinced to purchase bogus software or service to mail checks to a United States Postal Service post office box in Buford.
Often, these checks were more than $1,500, and Keita would direct some of the funds to her co-conspirators in Canada, China and India.
Jurors learned that the conspiracy racked up as much as $1 million dollars, affecting dozens of victims across the country before it was shut down.
Gwinnett County woman, 48, convicted in $1M call center scam targeting seniors across U.S. & Canada
A Georgia jury convicted Fataoumata Keita, 48, of racketeering for her role in a call center operation that tricked seniors into paying for fake computer virus protection. The scheme reportedly took as much as $1 million from victims across the United States and Canada, and she is due to be sentenced in December.
While victims were using their computers, a pop-up screen would appear stating that the device had a virus with a message prompting them to call a 1-800 number.
4 more quotes from this source
Co-defendants posing as customer service representatives directed victims whom they convinced to purchase bogus software or service to mail checks to a United States Postal Service post office box in Buford.
Often, these checks were more than $1,500, and Keita would direct some of the funds to her co-conspirators in Canada, China and India.
Beginning in 2021, Keita and other co-conspirators contacted individuals across the United States and Canada and deceived them into believing their computers were malfunctioning so that they could manipulate the selected victims into buying unneeded software or technical assistance.
Jurors learned that the conspiracy racked up as much as $1 million dollars, affecting dozens of victims across the country before it was shut down.
Think Your Computer Has A Virus? This Minnesota Scam Could Cost You Thousands
Wabasha Police warned Minnesota residents about a scam that starts with a frozen computer and a fake Microsoft phone number. The caller then transfers the victim to a person posing as Capital One, who demands about $4,000 for a 'high security credit card.'
A local recently opened an email and their computer froze. A phone number appeared on the screen and the call was allegedly from Microsoft.
4 more quotes from this source
So what happens next? The caller transfers you to someone claiming to be from Capitol One, who then tells you that you need to buy a 'high security credit card' at Lowe's in order to resolve your computer problems. They claim it costs four grand. Wow!
If you haven't guessed by now, this is a scam. If you accidentally open this email and something like this pops up, you should turn off your computer or disconnect it from the internet and call a professional.
Of course, if you already gave them your banking information, call your credit card company and freeze your account. This is scary because they literally hack your computer! Stay vigilant and spread the word.
This is another good excuse not to open that junk or spam email! Just delete it and if it is really important, they will find another way to get ahold of you.
Think Your Computer Has A Virus? This Minnesota Scam Could Cost You Thousands
Police in Wabasha, Minnesota warned residents about a fake Microsoft support scam that starts with a frozen computer and a phone number on the screen. The caller passes the victim to a person posing as a bank employee who demands about $4,000 for a 'high security credit card' bought at a store.
This scam circles around a fake computer warning and a fake support call with Microsoft. If you have someone in your life always asking you for computer help, make sure to warn them about this one.
4 more quotes from this source
A local recently opened an email and their computer froze. A phone number appeared on the screen and the call was allegedly from Microsoft.
The caller transfers you to someone claiming to be from Capitol One, who then tells you that you need to buy a 'high security credit card' at Lowe's in order to resolve your computer problems. They claim it costs four grand. Wow!
If you haven't guessed by now, this is a scam. If you accidentally open this email and something like this pops up, you should turn off your computer or disconnect it from the internet and call a professional.
Of course, if you already gave them your banking information, call your credit card company and freeze your account.
Think Your Computer Has A Virus? This Minnesota Scam Could Cost You Thousands
A caller pretending to be from Microsoft tells the victim their frozen computer has a problem and needs fixing. The victim is then passed to someone posing as a bank employee who demands about $4,000 for a 'high security credit card.'
A local recently opened an email and their computer froze. A phone number appeared on the screen and the call was allegedly from Microsoft.
4 more quotes from this source
The caller transfers you to someone claiming to be from Capitol One, who then tells you that you need to buy a 'high security credit card' at Lowe's in order to resolve your computer problems.
If you haven't guessed by now, this is a scam. If you accidentally open this email and something like this pops up, you should turn off your computer or disconnect it from the internet and call a professional.
Of course, if you already gave them your banking information, call your credit card company and freeze your account. This is scary because they literally hack your computer! Stay vigilant and spread the word.
This is another good excuse not to open that junk or spam email! Just delete it and if it is really important, they will find another way to get ahold of you.