tech support scam
Fraudulent computer assistance
A tech support scam is a fraud where criminals pose as technical support representatives—typically claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or an internet provider—to trick victims into paying for fake services or granting remote access to their computers.
The scam often begins with a pop-up warning of a virus or a cold call about "suspicious activity." Once given access, scammers may install malware, steal personal data, or demand payment for nonexistent repairs: My grandmother lost $500 to a tech support scam.
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- social engineeringManipulating people for information
- popupSuddenly appearing window
- remote accessConnecting to systems elsewhere
- remote desktopSoftware for distant computer control
virus · fake virus · warning · grandma · elderly · Microsoft · refund · gift card · call center · overseas · urgent · computer · malware · screen freeze · victim · credit card · bank account · spoofing
- phone callsphone number, robocall, cell number, cold call, mobile number
- spamspam, junk mail, spam filter, spam folder, bulk mail
- fraudfraud, swindle, con, deceive, cheat
- cyberscamsphishing, email spoofing, spear phishing, smishing, vishing
- online scamsphishing, Nigerian prince, email spoofing, smishing, vishing
- phone scamsrobocall, robocalls, vishing, phishing call, phishing calls
tech, support, scam, technical, technique, technology, technological, technician, techno