How to Spot a Fake Tech Support Scam (Before It Costs You)

Every week someone tells me about a pop-up that froze their screen, flashed a warning and gave them a phone number to call. It looked official. It was a scam. These are built to make you panic, so the best defense is knowing the signs ahead of time.

The 7 biggest red flags

1. A pop-up tells you to call a phone number. Real security warnings from Microsoft, Apple or your antivirus never ask you to call anyone.
2. Someone calls you out of the blue saying they're from Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, your bank or your internet provider and that your computer has a problem. Those companies don't make those calls.
3. They want remote access right away. A stranger asking you to install an app so they can "fix" something you didn't know was broken is the main move.
4. They ask you to pay with gift cards, crypto, wire transfers or Zelle. No real support company takes gift cards. Ever.
5. There's a countdown or a threat. "Your files will be deleted in 5 minutes." Pressure is the point. Real problems don't come with timers.
6. They "find" scary problems fast. Scammers open normal system logs and pretend the warnings are viruses.
7. They ask you to log into your bank "to process a refund." This is how they move money. Hang up.

What to do if a scary pop-up shows up

• Don't call the number and don't click anything inside the pop-up.
• Close the browser. If it won't close, force quit it: on Windows press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager and end the browser; on a Mac press Command + Option + Esc.
• When you reopen the browser, don't restore the previous tabs.
• If it keeps coming back, that's when to get help.

Already let someone in? Do this now

1. Disconnect from the internet (unplug the cable or turn off Wi-Fi).
2. Call your bank using the number on the back of your card, and tell them what happened.
3. Change your important passwords from a different, trusted device, starting with email and banking.
4. Uninstall any remote-access app they had you install.
5. Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
6. Get the computer checked before you trust it again.

How real support works

Legit help starts with you reaching out, not the other way around. You know who you're talking to, you agree on a price up front, and you approve every step. With us, you book and pay on m1ygrndn.com first, you stay on the phone with G, and nothing on your screen is shared until you tap Allow. We'll never ask for your passwords, banking logins or gift cards.