The most common scams we see
1. The fake Microsoft popup
You're browsing the web and suddenly a full-screen popup appears with sirens, voices yelling "VIRUS DETECTED," and a phone number for "Microsoft Support." It looks scary on purpose. It's fake. Microsoft does not put phone numbers in popups. They never call you. They never ask for remote access.
What to do: Don't call the number. Don't enter any information. Close the browser tab — if it won't close, hold the power button to shut down the computer, then turn it back on. The popup will be gone.
2. The "your computer is infected" phone call
Someone calls claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, your internet provider, or a bank. They say your computer is infected, hacked, or sending out spam. They'll ask to "remote in" to fix it.
This is a scam. No legitimate company cold-calls you about computer problems. Microsoft, Apple, Comcast, Spectrum — none of them know your phone number tied to your computer. None of them care if your specific machine has a virus.
What to do: Hang up. If you already gave them remote access, disconnect the computer from the internet (unplug WiFi or ethernet) immediately and bring it in to us. We'll check for malware they installed and help you change passwords on accounts they may have seen.
3. The refund / overpayment scam
You get an email saying you've been charged for tech support, antivirus, or "Geek Squad" — sometimes for hundreds of dollars. The email gives you a number to call to dispute the charge. When you call, they remote into your computer, pretend to "refund" you, and then claim you accidentally received way too much. They beg you to send them gift cards or cash to "fix" their mistake.
This is a scam. No real company would ever ask you to send gift cards.
What to do: Delete the email. If you actually want to verify a charge, look up the company's real phone number from their official website — never call the number in the suspicious email.
4. The "your subscription is expiring" email
An email from "Norton," "McAfee," or "GeekSquad" says your protection has been auto-renewed for $399. There's an invoice attached or a phone number to "cancel." It looks official.
This is a scam. The phone number leads to a scammer who will pretend to issue a refund — and then run the refund/overpayment scam above.
The golden rules
- Microsoft, Apple, Google, and your bank will NEVER call you out of nowhere.
- Real tech companies don't put phone numbers in popups.
- NEVER give remote access to anyone who contacted you first.
- NEVER pay for tech support in gift cards. Ever. Period.
- NEVER let someone you don't know take you to your bank account "to issue a refund."
- If pressure is involved, it's a scam. Real companies don't pressure you to act in the next 5 minutes.
Already gave them access? Here's what to do RIGHT NOW
- Disconnect from the internet. Unplug ethernet, turn off WiFi. This stops them from doing anything else.
- Don't pay them anything more. If you've sent gift cards, that money is likely gone — don't send more trying to "fix" it.
- Bring the computer to us. We'll scan for any malware they installed and remove their remote access tools.
- Change your important passwords. Email, banking, anything financial. Use a different computer or device to do this.
- Watch your bank and credit card statements. Call your bank to flag possible fraud.
- Report the scam. File a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov and your local police if money was taken.
Tell your family — especially older relatives
Scammers target seniors aggressively. If you have parents, grandparents, or elderly neighbors, please share this page or call us — we're happy to talk to them about what to watch for. We've helped many West Shore seniors recover from scams, and we'd rather help you avoid one in the first place.
Free 5-minute scam check. Suspicious about something on your computer? Call (440) 596-0009. We'll tell you for free whether it's legitimate or a scam, no obligation.