Report a
tech support scam.
That popup screaming about a virus? The call from "Microsoft" saying your computer is compromised? The refund that needs you to log into your bank? All scams. Tech support fraud tricks people into paying for fake problems or handing over remote access to their computers — giving scammers a direct window into bank accounts, passwords, and personal files. Report it here.
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Inside the tech support scam industry
Tech support scams are a billion-dollar global industry operating out of organized call centers, primarily in South Asia. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported $924 million in losses in 2023 — and that figure only captures reported cases. The scams come in two flavors: outbound calls to random phone numbers claiming to be Microsoft or Apple, and browser-based pop-ups designed to mimic virus warnings and drive victims to call a fake support number.
Once connected, the scammer walks you through granting remote access to your computer, usually through legitimate tools like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or UltraViewer. With remote access, they run harmless Windows commands (like Event Viewer logs) and present normal system events as evidence of "hacking." Then comes the pitch: a one-time cleanup fee of $299, or a "protection plan" for $499/year. Payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency is the tell — legitimate companies don't operate this way.
The "refund" scam variant
The most dangerous tech support scams don't start with a virus warning — they start with a refund. You receive an email claiming your tech support subscription is being renewed for $399 and to call to cancel. When you call, the "agent" asks to access your computer to process the refund. They then ask you to log into your bank account — claiming they need to verify the refund went through. While you're logged in, they use remote access to transfer money out of your account or modify what you see on screen to make it look like they accidentally refunded too much, pressuring you to "send back" the overage via gift cards or wire transfer.
This variant is particularly devastating because victims are interacting with their own real bank account and believe everything they're seeing on screen. Losses frequently exceed $10,000. If you've given someone remote access to your computer while your bank was open, contact your bank immediately, change all passwords from a different device, and file a report.
Immediate steps if you've been scammed
If you've given remote access to a scammer: disconnect from the internet immediately (unplug your router or disable Wi-Fi). Run a full malware scan with a trusted tool like Malwarebytes. Change every password you can think of — email, banking, social media — from a different device. Contact your bank if you logged in during the remote session. Then file a full report with every detail you remember: the phone number, what software they used, what they said, and how they asked for payment.
Where else to report tech support scams
Report to multiple agencies to maximize impact:
- →FTC — reportfraud.ftc.gov — federal database for all consumer fraud
- →FBI IC3 — ic3.gov — especially for losses involving remote access and bank fraud
- →Microsoft — microsoft.com/reportascam — report Microsoft impersonation directly
- →Your bank — contact immediately if you logged into banking during a remote session
Related scam types
Scammers often combine tactics. If this looks familiar, check these too: