Tech Support Scams: What Are They? How Do They Trick You?

You know what real tech support always says? "When in doubt, reboot it out!" But fake tech support? They’ll say that your device has a virus and to fix it, you need to provide your information and pay a lot of money.

Tech support scams involve scammers posing as tech support personnel from big tech companies to trick people into providing information, money, and remote access. To avoid this scam, be cautious of high-pressure tactics, remote access requests, and non-secure payment methods.

Tech support schemes have been around for years, and there are no signs of them slowing down. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, there were over 37,000 reports of fake tech support in 2023, with a financial loss of $924 million.

Cases are expected to increase in the next few years due to increased internet usage and demand for remote work, giving scammers more opportunities to attack.

Basically, a tech support scam is where scammers pose as legitimate tech support representatives to trick people into providing their information or remote access and making payments for fake services.

There are two ways fake support schemes unfold:

• Method No. 1: Phone Call - Scammers call their targets, claiming to be from a reputable company like Microsoft or Apple. They will insist that your device has an issue and then pressure you to allow remote access to "fix" the problem. But really, there was no problem until you let them in, allowing them to scan your device for sensitive information or lock you out and demand ransom.

• Method No. 2: Pop-Up Warning - While browsing, you might suddenly receive a pop-up, warning that your device is at risk. It will have an official-looking logo, a message that creates a sense of urgency, and a fake tech support number. If you call, the fake support will convince you to pay for repairs or install an app that will only infect your device with malware.

This kind of scam works because scammers prey on emotions such as fear.

Think about it… No one wants to get hacked and lose important files. This puts us into panic, affecting our thought-process, making us vulnerable and more likely to make decisions without thinking properly.

Scammers also exploit people’s insufficient technical knowledge. They use intellectual bullying by using jargon to make you think that you don’t know enough to question them.

Tech support scams can lead to major financial loss, with victims losing $25,000 on average.

Victims are also at risk of identity theft if they are tricked into providing personal information.

What’s worse, once scammers get remote access to your device, they can easily install malware, scan sensitive personal information, and lock you out to demand ransom.

If they’re able to extract your banking information, they can drain your bank accounts, leaving you with nothing.

One victim of this scam is a retired accountant from Brooklyn (who wishes to remain anonymous).

One afternoon in July, her laptop suddenly froze. Then, she got a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft.

The caller claimed that there was a security failure and that the accountant was entitled to a refund for her virus protection. However… The caller claimed to have mistakenly deposited $100,000 into her account instead of refunding $10.

The scammer pressured her to return the excess funds quickly.

When she checked her bank account, she saw the large deposit. Wanting to do the right thing, she withdrew the money.

When the bank teller asked if she was under pressure, she said no, leading to the approval of the transaction.

Then, she met a courier who identified himself as “Andy” who used the code word “red.” She handed over an envelope containing $100,000.

It was too late when she learned that the money had not been deposited by the scammer at all.

The scammer was able to access her accounts. They transferred $100,000 from her trust fund into her personal checking account.

Unaware of the internal transfer, she believed that there was an overpayment in her personal account. But really… it was her own savings which she handed to the fake tech support.

Reflecting on the experience, the victim expressed deep regret and wondered how she could have fallen for the scam.

You can protect yourself from the tech support scam by simply using trusted and safe antivirus software (e.g. McAfee, Windows Defender, and Kaspersky). These offer protection against malware, phishing threats, and malicious pop-ups.

It’s also ideal to keep your software updated to ensure that all vulnerabilities that scammers can exploit are patched up.

More importantly… Remember that big tech companies won’t call you out of the blue. So, if you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from a big tech company, hang up. Go to their official website to verify any issues.

There are also some signs that will help you identify fake tech support:

• Red Flag No. 1: High-Pressure Tactics – It’s likely a scammer if they’re pressuring you to make quick decisions. Legitimate tech support personnel are trained to help customers calmly and won’t use fear tactics or force you into making quick decisions.
  
• Red Flag No. 2: Requests for remote access – It’s a scam if they ask for access to your device. Legitimate companies won’t ask for remote access to your device and often can fix issues without it.
  
• Red Flag No. 3: Non-Secure or Unconventional Payment - Consider it fake tech support if they ask for payment in gift cards or cryptocurrency. Real companies don’t ask for payment this way.

Now, here are some things you can do if you think you’ve been scammed:

• Run a security scan immediately to remove any malware that the fake tech support installed.
  
• Change your passwords for your accounts to prevent unauthorized access or further damage.
  
• Report the scam. First, report the scam to your bank to see if they can refund the stolen money. Then, report to your local authorities and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to help build against the scammers, increasing the chances of them being caught.
  
• Warn Others. Sharing awareness can help prevent other people from falling into the same trap.

In a nutshell, tech support scams exploit fear and rely on the impersonation of trusted big tech companies.

Now that you know how this scam plays out and the red flags, you won’t be so easily fooled. When you get that call or warning pop-up, you can confidently ignore it.

And remember: If you have a tech problem, just call someone you trust—preferably someone who won’t ask for remote access or payment before helping.

How can you outsmart scammers?

You can outsmart a scammer by not making hasty decisions while you’re emotional, hanging up when you feel pressured, and not sharing sensitive information like your Social Security Number. It’s also ideal to ask for their full name or company details that you can verify online.

How to avoid and scare romance scammers?

To scare a romance scammer, you should insist on having an in-person meeting. A romance scammer can’t agree to that because they often use stolen or AI-generated images. Also, refuse any requests for financial help and always do a reverse image search on their photo.