How tech support scams start
The FTC lists four common ways in. A pop-up that looks like a warning from a well-known company tells you to call a number. Someone calls or texts out of the blue, saying they are a technician. A fake support site appears in your search results. Or an email says you were charged for a software subscription renewal and gives a number to cancel.
The FTC says real security pop-ups and messages will never ask you to call a phone number.
What the fake technician wants
First, remote access to your computer, usually to run a virus scan. Then payment for a fix you do not need, by gift card, wire transfer, crypto or a payment app, because those are hard to get back.
A common twist is the fake refund. They ask for your bank login to send a refund, claim they sent too much, and ask you to return the difference. Some then pass you to a fake government official who tells you to move or withdraw your money to protect it.
What Microsoft and Apple actually say
Microsoft says it does not make unsolicited phone calls or send unsolicited emails asking for personal or financial information, that its error and warning messages never include a phone number, and that it will never ask you to pay for support with crypto or gift cards.
Apple says to hang up on any unsolicited or suspicious call from someone claiming to be Apple Support, and warns that scammers can fake caller ID to show Apple's real number. It says it will never ask for your password, device passcode or two-factor code, or ask you to turn off a security feature.
Signs it is a scam
- A pop-up or caller says your computer is infected
- There is a phone number to call right now
- They want to connect to your computer
- They mention a refund or an overpayment
- They want gift cards, crypto or cash
What real support does
- Does not call you unless you asked for help
- Never puts a phone number in a security warning
- Never asks for your password or a code
- Never asks you to move money to protect it
- Is fine with you hanging up and calling back
How much tech support scams cost
The FBI's IC3 received 47,794 tech support scam complaints in 2025, with about $2.13 billion lost, making it one of the three costliest fraud types after investment scams and business email compromise. People 60 and over reported 21,333 of the complaints and about $1.04 billion of the losses.
These scams often end at a Bitcoin ATM. The FTC found that about 86% of reports of money lost at those machines involved tech support scams or business and government impersonators. More on that in Bitcoin ATM scams.
If it already happened
- If you paid, call your bank or card company now and ask them to reverse the charge. Check your statements for other charges you do not recognize.
- If you gave someone remote access, update your security software and run a full scan, and remove any program they asked you to install.
- If you shared a password, change it right away, and change it on any other account where you used the same one.
- If they told you to move money or withdraw cash, call your bank on the number from your card before you do anything else.
- Report the call or pop-up, including the phone number and any website address they gave you.
- ReportFraud.ftc.govReport the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.
- IC3.govThe FBI’s internet crime complaint center, for losses online.
- IdentityTheft.govIf they got your ID, Social Security number or account details.
Questions
Does Microsoft call you about a virus?
My screen froze with a warning and a phone number. What do I do?
I let a scammer access my computer remotely. Is my bank account safe?
Can scammers make a call look like it is from Apple?
Realr cannot check pop-ups, links or phone numbers. It helps with the strangers you deal with online: anyone can prove who they are once and share one link.
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