🖥️ Remote-Access & Tech Support Scams

Pop-ups or callers claim your computer is infected and push you to install remote software — once in, scammers can move money or capture credentials.

Use this page to be prepared for remote-access scams — how they start, what they ask you to install, and the steps to stay safe.

🔗 Trusted Resources

Microsoft — Avoid Tech Support Scams — Real-world examples and step-by-step recovery if you let someone in.
🌐 https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/security/how-to-spot-a-tech-support-scam ↗️

FTC — Tech Support Scams — What to do if you gave remote access or paid.
🌐 https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/pass-it-on/impersonator-scams/tech-support-scams ↗️

FBI — IC3 — Report online fraud, including tech support scams.
🌐 https://www.ic3.gov ↗️

🧭 Recognizing & Responding Safely

Close the pop-up — don’t call the number. Use Task Manager/Force Quit, then restart.

Never install remote tools from a cold call or pop-up.

Never call numbers shown in pop-ups. Legitimate companies don’t put phone numbers in security alerts.

If you allowed access: Disconnect from the internet, change bank and email passwords from a safe device, contact your bank’s fraud team, and run a reputable antivirus scan. If you’re unsure, take your device to Best Buy’s Geek Squad (or another reputable local tech service) to have it checked.

📌 Sam’s Tips

Real companies don’t cold-call to fix your computer. Unexpected “support calls” are scams, even if the caller knows your name.

Remote access = full control. If you install their software, they can see the screen, move money, and capture passwords.

Pop-up numbers are always fake. Security alerts never include phone numbers — they are designed to be clicked away.

When in doubt, shut it down. Power off the device and get help from someone you trust.

🖥️ Quick example

A pop-up suddenly fills your screen, saying: “Your computer is infected! Do not close this window! Call Microsoft Support at 1-800-…”

A loud alarm plays, and the window won’t close. The page warns that your financial information is at risk unless you call immediately.

Stop — real security alerts don’t use sirens, full-screen locks, or phone numbers.
Investigate — searching the phone number reveals many scam reports; Microsoft explicitly warns about this tactic.
Find better coverage — FTC and Microsoft pages list identical pop-up wording as a known tech support scam.
Trace — checking your browser’s address bar shows a random domain, not microsoft.com.

Conclusion

This fails verification. The pop-up uses scare tactics, fake support numbers, and browser tricks — all classic markers of a tech support scam.

Why

• Real companies never put phone numbers in alerts.
• Scam pop-ups often block the screen or play sounds to create urgency.
• The domain and certificate never match Microsoft or your antivirus.
• Verification collapses once any part of the alert is compared to known legitimate behavior.

Bottom line:

If a pop-up tells you to call a number, don’t — close the window, restart the device, and verify independently.