Tech support scams target people who are understandably less comfortable with technology. The scammer creates a computer emergency that only they can fix, gets you to pay them for unnecessary "services," and often installs actual malware along the way.
Here is what they look like and how to stop them.
Common versions
The pop-up scam. You are browsing the internet when a loud, alarming pop-up appears: "YOUR COMPUTER IS INFECTED. DO NOT RESTART. CALL MICROSOFT SUPPORT IMMEDIATELY AT 1-800-..." The pop-up may play a siren sound or show a fake virus-scanning animation. The phone number is the scammer.
The cold call scam. You get a call: "Hello, this is Robert from Microsoft (or Apple, or Norton, or your internet company). We have detected a virus on your computer and need to help you remove it."
The refund scam. You get an email saying your antivirus subscription has been renewed for $399, or a refund is being processed and needs your bank details.
The remote access scam. In any of the above, they eventually ask you to install software that gives them remote access to your computer. Then they "show" you fake problems and charge to fix them. Sometimes they lock you out of your own machine until you pay.
Why you know it is fake
Microsoft, Apple, and other tech companies never call you. They do not have your phone number. They do not have the resources to proactively call individual users.
Your computer does not generate scary pop-ups with phone numbers. Real security warnings do not play sirens or use all caps. If you see one, it came from a website you visited, not from your computer.
Real antivirus does not charge you to remove a virus it found. If you have antivirus software, it handles threats automatically.
Real tech companies do not ask for remote access to your computer. If someone you trust (like a real relative) is helping you remotely, they would explain why. A cold caller would not.
What to do
For a pop-up:
Do not click anything in the pop-up. Not "close." Not "cancel." Sometimes even those buttons trigger more scamming.
Close your browser the hard way: on a computer, press Alt+F4 (Windows) or Command+Q (Mac). On a phone or tablet, swipe up to close the app.
If that does not work, restart the device.
Do not call the number.
For a call:
Hang up.
Do not engage. Do not try to argue or explain. Just hang up.
If they call back, hang up again. Consider blocking the number.
If you already gave them access:
Disconnect your computer from the internet immediately (unplug the cable or turn off Wi-Fi).
Turn off your computer.
Call a trusted tech support source: your actual internet provider, a local computer shop, or a tech-savvy family member. Have them clean the computer before you reconnect.
Change your passwords on any accounts the scammer might have seen while they had access. Email first. Banking next. Everything else after.
Call your bank if they had access to your financial accounts.
Report to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Preventing future scams
Install reputable antivirus and keep it updated. For most home users, Windows Defender (built in to Windows) or macOS's built-in security is sufficient.
Do not install software from a pop-up, email, or phone call. Only from known, trusted sources.
Keep your software updated. Many scams rely on vulnerabilities that are already patched in newer versions.
Have a trusted tech helper. A family member, a local computer shop, or a service like SeniorThrive's Blake (AI tech help companion). Someone you can check with when something seems off.
An honest note
Tech scams work because they create panic in a domain you are less confident in. The scammer counts on you thinking "I do not really understand this, so I better trust the expert."
The truth is that "the expert" never calls or pops up without you asking. Your own judgment is usually right. If something seems strange, it is. If you are unsure, close everything, step away, and ask someone you trust.