What Are Tech Support Scams?

A tech support scam is when a scammer impersonates a technical support representative, often claiming to be from a well-known company like Microsoft or Apple, or a computer security company like McAfee or Norton. These scams exploit a victim’s fear and lack of technical knowledge. The scammer may make first contact through a phone call, email or even a pop-up ad or warning on a website, falsely alerting a victim that their computer is infected with a virus or has security issues. The scammer then pressures the victim into granting remote access to their device or purchasing unnecessary software and services, which can lead to significant financial loss and data compromise. Often, an email or pop-up ad will look legitimate, with logos or branding that look like the company the scammer is pretending to be from. If you have doubts, closely examine the email address or pop-up ad’s web address — it will usually be clear it’s not connected with the real company (there may be unusual combinations of letters or numbers, no company name, etc).

If you are concerned that your computer really does require support, go directly to the website of a reputable company, or bring your computer in-person to most any store that sells tech products.

If you have been contacted by a tech support scammer, you can report it to the Federal Trade Commission here.

Sources

“How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams”. Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-tech-support-scams