---
title: "Spotting and avoiding tech support scams"
license: public-domain
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-tech-support-scams
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: Federal Trade Commission, \"How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
date: 
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-11-02
category: how-to
checked_on: 2026-11-02
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-tech-support-scams
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
license_note: "Every fact below restates US government public-domain pages listed under sources. This summary is also offered as public domain."
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Courtesy of Federal Trade Commission. Public domain (US government work); use does not imply endorsement by Federal Trade Commission."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-11-02
source_check_note: "Live site blocks automated fetches (404/403); facts re-verified 2026-11-02 against Internet Archive snapshots listed as archive_url."
date: 2026-11-02
category: how-to
tags: how-to, scams, security, consumer
checked_on: 2026-11-02
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams"
    publisher: Federal Trade Commission
    url: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-tech-support-scams
    archive_url: https://web.archive.org/web/20261018110216/https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-tech-support-scams
    archive_checked: 2026-11-02
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S2
    title: "Seemingly urgent security messages could lead to tech support scams"
    publisher: Federal Trade Commission
    url: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/04/seemingly-urgent-security-messages-could-lead-tech-support-scams
    archive_url: https://web.archive.org/web/20261009210705/https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/04/seemingly-urgent-security-messages-could-lead-tech-support-scams
    archive_checked: 2026-11-02
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S3
    title: "New tech support scammers want your life savings"
    publisher: Federal Trade Commission
    url: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/03/new-tech-support-scammers-want-your-life-savings
    archive_url: https://web.archive.org/web/20261021190826/https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/03/new-tech-support-scammers-want-your-life-savings
    archive_checked: 2026-11-02
    accessed: 2026-11-02
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# Spotting and avoiding tech support scams

# Spotting and avoiding tech support scams

## Summary
Real tech companies do not call, email or text you about a problem with your computer, and real security pop-ups never ask you to call a phone number. Hang up, do not give remote access, and report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

*Draft. License: public domain (US government work). Sources: [S1] Federal Trade Commission, "How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Tech Support Scams"; [S2] Federal Trade Commission, "Seemingly urgent security messages could lead to tech support scams"; [S3] Federal Trade Commission, "New tech support scammers want your life savings".*

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: These scams often begin with a fake pop-up warning, a call or text from a supposed technician, or search ads and sites that lead to a scammer phone number.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F2
  claim: Scammers ask for remote access, pretend to find a virus, and charge a fee to fix it.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F3
  claim: They push payment by gift card, wire or bank transfer, cryptocurrency or a payment app because that money is hard to get back.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F4
  claim: A newer version claims your bank account was hacked and hands you to a fake government agent who tells you to move money to protect it; only scammers say that.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S3]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F5
  claim: Fake subscription-renewal messages urge you to call within 24 hours to dispute a charge; check your real account instead of using the number in the message.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F6
  claim: Legitimate security pop-ups never ask you to call a phone number.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S1, S2, S3]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02
- id: F7
  claim: If worried, update and run your security software, and contact a technician using contact details from the company official website.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-11-02
  sources: [S2]
  license: public domain (US government work)
  checked_on: 2026-11-02

## Pointers
- id: P1
  answers: Where to report
  where: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
  access: free, public web page