Fake Tech Support Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Them
"Your computer is infected — call this number now." Fake tech-support scams prey on worry, pressuring people into handing over money or remote access to their PC. They're among the most common scams we see — and once you know how they work, they're easy to shut down.
How the scam works
It usually starts in one of three ways: an alarming full-screen pop-up (often with a loud alarm and a phone number), a phone call out of the blue claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple or your broadband provider, or an email dressed up as a well-known company. The "agent" insists there's an urgent problem only they can fix, then talks you into installing remote-access software, paying for "support" you don't need, or — the real goal — logging into your online banking while they watch.
The red flags
- Unexpected contact. Genuine companies don't cold-call to tell you your PC has a virus — they have no way of knowing, and they don't work like that.
- Pressure and urgency deliberately designed to stop you thinking or checking with someone.
- Requests for remote access or to install software like AnyDesk or TeamViewer at their direction.
- Demands for payment by card, bank transfer or — a dead giveaway — gift cards or vouchers.
- Scary pop-ups with a phone number. Real security warnings never ask you to ring anyone.
What to do
- Hang up, or close the pop-up (if it won't close, restart the computer). Don't call the number.
- Never grant remote access or make a payment to someone who contacted you.
- If a pop-up has locked the screen, a restart almost always clears it — the "virus" was just a web page.
If you've already been caught out
Don't panic, but act quickly. Disconnect the device from the internet, then from a different device change the passwords for your email and banking and turn on multi-factor authentication. Contact your bank if you shared any financial details or made a payment, and have the computer checked to remove any remote-access software they installed. In the UK you can report it to Action Fraud. There's no shame in being targeted — these scams are designed by professionals to catch anyone on a bad day.
Protecting family who may be targeted
Older relatives are often singled out. A quick conversation — "no real company will ever cold-call about a virus, and you can always call me first" — is one of the best defences there is. Our guides to spotting phishing and keeping children safe online cover the rest of the household.
We'll check it's clean
If you're worried you've been caught out, our computer repair and cyber security teams will check your device, remove anything unwanted and help secure your accounts.
Official guidance: If you’re targeted, report it to Action Fraud, and remember the Take Five to Stop Fraud rule: stop, challenge, protect.