How to Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams

Data protection from hacker stock photo

Tech Support Scams Explained

Tech support scammers try to trick you into thinking there’s a problem with your computer. They will lie to get your financial information or remote access to your computer. If they succeed, they could steal your money and possibly even your identity.

How a Tech Support Scam Works

There are different strategies that tech support scammers use to scare you into believing there's a virus or other issue with your computer. 

  • Tech support scams normally start with a fake warning about a problem with your computer. This could look like a pop-up that appears to be from a well-known company. It will most likely urge you to call a phone number to get help.
  • Other tech support scams begin with a phone call or text message from someone who is pretending to be a computer technician from a well-known company. 
  • These scammers may even create advertisements hoping you'll call them yourself if you're searching for computer help. 

If you do end up on the phone with a tech support scammer, they will often ask for remote access to your computer and pretend to scan it for viruses. They’ll pretend that they found a virus or malicious program and offer to remove it for a fee.

When it’s time to pay, they will try to get you to pay with anything other than a credit card. They’ll insist on gift cards, wire transfers, bank transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps because those methods are hard to reverse.

Other Types of Tech Support Scams

Serious Crimes and Fake Helpers

Sometimes, when the fake tech support specialist pretends to scan your computer for viruses, they will tell you that someone hacked your accounts or that your name is linked to serious crimes, like money laundering or drug trafficking. 

This impersonator will then transfer you to someone who supposedly works for the government and will help you solve your problem. This person does not work for the government and will try to convince you they do by giving you a badge or case number. Both of these numbers are probably fake, but how can you tell for certain? You'll know that this is a scammer because they will tell you that your money is at risk and you need to protect it immediately. Some things they may tell you to do include:

  • Withdraw money from your account to protect it,
  • Deposit money in a "federal safety locker," or
  • Buy gold or get cash and give it to someone. 

Someone who works for the government will never say you must transfer your money to protect it.

Someone who works for the government will never tell you to put your money in a federal safety locker. There is no such thing as a federal safety locker. 

Someone who works for the government will never demand payment. 

Fake Invoices and Subscription Renewals

Another popular tech support scam involves messages about automatic renewals for tech support subscriptions. You might receive an email or text message that says you were charged hundreds of dollars to renew your tech support subscription for a well-known company like Geek Squad, McAfee, or Norton.

The message will give you a time limit, normally 24 hours, to call a number to dispute the charge. If you do call, they will likely ask for remote access to your computer and ask you to enter your bank or credit card information into a spoofed website in order to process the refund. Once you do that, they will claim that there was an error and they accidentally refunded you too much money. They'll insist that you pay them back with gift cards, a wire or bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app.

If you do receive a message about tech support subscription renewal, don't panic and call the number they provided. Contact the company directly using a phone number you know is real.

You can also check your credit card or bank account number for an unauthorized transaction for a tech support subscription. If you see one, report it and ask them to reverse the transaction. If you don't see a transaction for a tech support subscription renewal, that means the message was a scam, and you can delete it.

How to Avoid a Tech Support Scam

Most tech support scams rely on elaborate stories, threats, and pressure you into giving up your financial information or money. Remembering these two things can help you avoid a tech support scam:

  1. Legitimate tech companies won't contact you by phone, email, or text message to tell you there's a problem with your computer.
  2. Real security pop-up warnings and messages will never ask you to call a phone number. 

If you're not sure if it's a scam, talk it out with someone you trust. Simply talking about it could help you realize it's a scam. 

If you think there could be a problem with your computer, update your computer's security software and run a scan. If you need help fixing a computer problem, go to someone you know and trust. Many software companies offer support online or by phone or some store that sell computer equipment may also offer technical support in person.

If you were contacted by a tech support scammer, report it to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/

If you were scammed, read this article from the FTC for specific steps to take.

The information in this article is drawn from the Federal Trade Commission and is intended solely for informational purposes. It should not be relied on as legal, financial, or professional advice. For specific guidance, please consult a qualified professional.