Tech support scams trick people into believing their computer is broken so they'll hand over money or access. They're convincing, they're everywhere, and anyone can be targeted. Here's how to spot them and what to do.
What Tech Support Scams Are
A tech support scam is a con where someone pretends to be a trusted company or technician to gain your trust, your money, or control of your computer. They usually show up in one of two ways:
- Fake pop-ups that flash a scary warning like "Your computer is infected!" along with a phone number to call. Some even play an alarm sound or lock your browser so it feels urgent.
- Cold calls from someone claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, your bank, or a software vendor you use, telling you they've "detected a problem" on your device.
The common thread is that the contact is unsolicited. A legitimate company will not randomly call you or pop up a warning telling you to phone a stranger.
How They Work
Scammers follow a predictable playbook designed to rush you past your better judgment:
- They create fear. A virus warning, a "hacked" account, or a "suspicious payment" gets your heart racing.
- They ask for remote access. Using legitimate remote-support tools, they convince you to let them "look at" your computer, which actually hands them full control.
- They charge for a fake fix. Once in, they'll "find" problems that don't exist and demand payment to repair them.
- They steal what they can. While connected, they may copy files, grab passwords, or install real malware.
- They demand unusual payment. Gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency are favorites because they're hard to trace and nearly impossible to reverse.
Red Flags to Watch For
If you see any of these, treat it as a scam until proven otherwise:
- Unsolicited contact — a pop-up, call, text, or email you didn't request.
- Urgency and pressure — "Act now or lose your data" is a manipulation tactic.
- A request for remote access from someone who contacted you first.
- Requests for unusual payment like gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto.
- Asking for passwords, banking details, or one-time codes. No legitimate technician needs these.
These tactics overlap heavily with email-based fraud. Our guide on how to spot and avoid phishing covers the same warning signs in your inbox.
What to Do
If you see a suspicious pop-up
- Don't call the number on the screen. It connects you straight to the scammer.
- Close the browser tab or window. If it won't close, force-quit the browser entirely (on Windows, you can use Task Manager; on a Mac, use Force Quit).
- Don't click anything inside the pop-up, including the "X" if it looks suspicious.
If you get an unsolicited call
- Hang up. You can always look up the company's official number yourself and call back if you're unsure.
- Never grant remote access to someone who called you out of the blue.
- Don't confirm any personal or account details.
If you already engaged
- Disconnect from the internet right away to cut off any remote session.
- Change your important passwords from a different, trusted device.
- If you paid by card or gave banking details, contact your bank immediately.
- Have your computer checked for malware. Our remove a virus or malware guide is a good starting point, and a professional can confirm nothing was left behind.
Protecting Older or Less Tech-Savvy Family Members
Scammers often target people who are less comfortable with technology. A few simple habits help:
- Agree on a rule together: no one from "tech support" ever calls first, so unexpected calls can simply be ignored.
- Encourage them to pause and call you before paying for anything or granting access.
- Remind them that no real company asks to be paid in gift cards.
- Consider setting up their devices so updates and security are handled for them, reducing the number of scary-looking prompts they encounter.
A quick phone call to double-check something is always cheaper than falling for a scam.
How Gecadi can help
If you think you've been scammed or just want a second opinion, we can check your computer, clean up anything that was installed, and help secure your accounts. Gecadi serves homes and businesses on-site across Los Angeles and Orange County and remotely throughout the U.S., and we're available 24/7 when something feels urgent. We solve real problems, so you don't have to face them alone.