Tech Support Scams

Read time: 1 minute 45 seconds

You get an unsolicited call from a man named Michael claiming to represent Microsoft. He says your computer has been hacked and if you don't act fast your bank account will be hacked too.

He asks for your email and password, and after you give it to him, you find that you can no longer access your account and all your personal information - including your bank details and email address - have been compromised.

Michael from tech support is a classic scam!

Always remember the three early warning signs of a scam:

1. You're in dialogue ...

2. ... which you did not start ...

3. ... and the topic turns to money (or anything valuable) …

It's a scam!

Let's take a closer look:

1. You're in a dialogue ...

Scammers know you're not going to give up your personal information to a random person, they pretend to be someone trustworthy.

2. ... which you did not start ...

The scammer starts the dialogue via phone call, pop-up window or message, claiming that your computer has been hacked, when in reality it hasn't been.

3. ... and the topic turns to money (or anything valuable) …

Although this call may seem harmless - due to no money being involved - something valuable is, being your, email, password or any other account details.

You could interrogate the person by asking for his job title, location or even asking to speak to his boss, but you don't need to do that because you already have the three early warning signs of a scam:

1. You’re in a dialogue ...

2. … which you did not start ...

3. … and the topic turns to money (or anything valuable) ...

It's a scam!

There are a lot of scammers nowadays. Let's make their lives more difficult and less profitable, by recognising the early warning signs of a scam. 

NEVER give a scammer the opportunity to get your information via false tech support calls. Any tech support call, email, pop-up window or message you receive without you initiating the dialogue is almost certainly a scam and you should not entertain it.

Don't get scammed! Get a second opinion: fast, secure, easy, confidential, free! Contact ScamAvoid on (we're everywhere: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, ScamAvoid.com, email, etc.)