A tech support scam is a fraud in which criminals pose as technical support from Microsoft, Apple, a bank or an antivirus vendor to convince victims that their device has a problem and to take their money or remote access.
How tech support scams work
The first contact usually comes in one of three ways:
- Pop-up warnings – a “browser locker” page, often reached through malicious ads, goes full screen, plays an alarm and claims the computer is infected, showing a phone number to call. This is a form of scareware.
- Cold calls – the scammer phones the victim, claiming to have detected viruses or a hacked account, a classic case of vishing.
- Fake search results and emails – fake invoices for a software subscription with a “cancellation” number.
Once on the phone, the “technician” asks the victim to install a legitimate remote access tool such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer – the same RMM tools used by real admins. The scammer then shows harmless system logs as “proof” of infection and sells a worthless repair or support plan, or steals banking data. In “refund” variants the victim is told they were overpaid and must send money back.
Why tech support scams matter
These scams rely purely on social engineering and disproportionately hit older people. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) regularly lists tech support fraud among the costliest schemes for victims over 60, and many operations are run from large call centres abroad.
How to protect yourself
- Remember that Microsoft, Apple and banks do not make unsolicited calls about infected computers.
- Never call phone numbers shown in browser pop-ups; close the tab or restart the browser.
- Do not install remote access software at the request of a stranger.
- If access was granted, disconnect the device, run a security scan, change passwords and contact your bank.
