A notebook and smartphone resting on a closed laptop on a wooden table

Tech Support Scams: What to Do When a Scary Pop-Up Appears

ByGene Castillo

You’re reading the news online when suddenly a big warning fills the screen. It may beep or flash. It says your computer has a virus and you must call a phone number right away to fix it.

Take a breath. This is almost certainly a tech support scam. The FBI’s internet crime figures for 2025, reported by AARP in April 2026, put losses from tech and customer support scams at $2.1 billion across all ages.

How These Scams Reach You

  • Pop-up warnings made to look like they come from a well-known company.
  • Calls or texts from someone claiming to be a computer technician.
  • Fake search results and ads that show a scammer’s number when you look up help online.
  • Fake renewal notices saying you’ve been charged for a security subscription and must call to cancel or get a refund.

Once you call, the scammer usually asks to take control of your computer, “finds” a problem and charges you to fix it. Some go further and claim your bank account is at risk and your money must be moved to keep it safe.

Red Flags to Remember

  • The FTC says real security warnings never ask you to call a phone number.
  • Legitimate tech companies don’t contact you out of the blue about problems with your computer.
  • No real company or government agency will ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or a payment app, or to withdraw cash or buy gold to “protect” your money.
  • If a renewal notice looks real, contact the company using a number you already know, not the one in the message.

What to Do When a Pop-Up Appears

  1. Don’t call the number and don’t click inside the warning.
  2. Close the browser. If it won’t close, restart the computer.
  3. If you’re still worried, ask a trusted person or a reputable local computer shop to take a look.

If You Already Called or Paid

  • If you paid, contact your bank or credit card company right away and ask them to reverse the charge.
  • If you let them into your computer, update your security software and run a full scan, or get help from someone you trust.
  • If you shared a password, change it now, and change it anywhere else you used the same one.

Then report what happened at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311) for help with next steps. Being targeted is nothing to be embarrassed about, and your report helps protect others.

Sources

Similar Posts