High riskEmail

Fake Tech Support Scam

This scam uses a pop-up, email, or phone call warning that your computer is infected or your account is compromised, urging you to call a number or allow remote access, after which the fake 'technician' charges fees, installs software, or takes your data.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Technical support scam
Main red flag
An alarming warning that your device or account is at risk, telling you to call a number or let someone access your computer.
What to do first
Do not call the number or grant remote access. Close the pop-up or hang up, and check any concern through official, known channels.

How this scam works

This scam uses a pop-up, email, or phone call warning that your computer is infected or your account is compromised, urging you to call a number or allow remote access, after which the fake 'technician' charges fees, installs software, or takes your data.

Email scams, or phishing, remain one of the most common ways criminals steal logins, payment details, and money. A convincing message imitates a brand or contact and steers you toward a fake login page, a malicious attachment, or a fraudulent payment.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: An alarming warning that your device or account is at risk, telling you to call a number or let someone access your computer. Do not call the number or grant remote access. Close the pop-up or hang up, and check any concern through official, known channels.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Fake Apple ID Locked Email and the Microsoft Account Email Scam. See the full Email Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • A sudden pop-up or email claiming your device is infected or locked
  • Pressure to call a phone number or allow remote access right away
  • A warning that tells you not to restart or shut down your computer
  • A request to install remote-access or 'security' software you did not seek out
  • A demand for payment by card, bank transfer, or gift cards to fix the problem

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'WARNING: Your computer has been infected with 5 viruses. Microsoft has locked this device to protect your data. Do not restart. Call support immediately on [suspicious number] to remove the threat.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What gives it away: An alarming warning that your device or account is at risk, telling you to call a number or let someone access your computer.

The scale of it

Most reported
phishing was the most common type of cybercrime complaint reported to the FBI in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
$12.5B
total reported internet-crime losses in the US in 2023
Source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center

How to protect yourself

  • Close the pop-up or browser tab, or restart your device if a page will not close
  • Reach support only through the official website or number for that company
  • Run a scan with security software you already trust and installed yourself
  • Report the message or call to the company being impersonated and your anti-fraud centre

Already responded? Do this now

  • Disconnect from the internet and uninstall any remote-access tool they had you install
  • Run a full scan with trusted security software and change important passwords
  • If you paid, contact your bank or card provider to flag or reverse the charge
  • Watch your accounts and email for changes you did not make

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not call the number shown in the warning or grant remote access
  • Do not pay with gift cards, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency to 'fix' a device
  • Do not read out verification codes or passwords to the caller

Related scams to know

High risk Email

Fake Apple ID Locked Email

This scam claims your Apple ID has been locked for security reasons and links to a fake sign-in page that captures your Apple ID and password.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Email

Microsoft Account Email Scam

This scam sends a fake Microsoft or Outlook email about an unusual sign-in or an account about to be closed, linking to a fake Microsoft login page that captures your email and password.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Bank Impersonation Phone Scam

In this scam a caller pretends to be your bank's fraud team, claims your account is under attack, and pressures you to move money to a 'safe account', read out one-time codes, or grant remote access so they can steal your funds.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

Do real companies lock your computer and tell you to call a number?
Legitimate operating systems and security tools do not lock your device behind a phone number in a pop-up. That pattern is commonly used in tech support scams.
The caller knew my name and that I use Windows. Is it real?
Scammers often guess common software or use details from data breaches to sound credible. Knowing basic facts about you does not prove they are genuine support.
I let them access my computer. What now?
Disconnect from the internet, remove any tools they installed, run a trusted security scan, and change passwords. If you paid, contact your bank promptly.
Why do they ask for gift cards or cryptocurrency?
These payments are hard to reverse or trace, which is why scammers prefer them. A genuine support service would not insist on them.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.