How to Spot a Tech Support Scam

You're browsing the web when suddenly a loud alarm goes off and a warning fills your screen: "Your computer has been infected! Call Microsoft immediately." Your heart jumps. You reach for the phone.

Stop. It's a scam.

Tech support scams are one of the most common ways criminals target Canadians, and they're designed to scare you into acting before you think. Here's how to recognize them and what to do instead.

How They Work

Tech support scams come in a few different forms, but the goal is always the same: convince you that something is terribly wrong with your computer so you'll hand over money or access.

The fake browser pop-up is the most common. A webpage hijacks your browser with a full-screen warning, a fake Microsoft or Apple logo, and an urgent message telling you to call a phone number immediately. It may play an audio alarm or a robotic voice reading the warning out loud. The page is often designed so you can't close it easily, which makes it feel even more real.

The unsolicited phone call is another version. Someone calls you claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, Bell, or even the government. They say they've detected a virus or suspicious activity on your account and need remote access to fix it.

The fake search result sends you to a scam site when you search for legitimate tech support. Always go directly to a company's official website rather than clicking search ads.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Microsoft, Apple, and Google will never call you unsolicited. They do not monitor your computer for viruses and they will not reach out to warn you about one.
• Legitimate companies don't use pop-ups to display error codes or phone numbers. Real Windows errors appear in the operating system itself, not your browser.
• Urgency is a weapon. Scammers push hard for you to act immediately so you don't have time to think or ask someone.
• They ask for remote access. Giving a stranger remote control of your computer is handing them the keys to everything on it.
• They ask for payment by gift card. No legitimate business or government agency will ever ask you to pay with iTunes, Google Play, or Steam gift cards. This is always a scam, no exceptions.
• The phone number doesn't match the company. If you look up the company's official website, you'll find their real support number. It won't match the one in the pop-up.

What to Do If It Happens to You

If you see a pop-up:

• Don't call the number
• Don't click anything on the page
• Press Alt + F4 to close the window, or force-quit your browser
• If you can't close it, hold the power button to shut the computer off
• Restart and run a malware scan

If someone calls you:

• Hang up. You don't owe them an explanation.
• Never give remote access to someone who contacted you unsolicited
• If you're worried the call might be legitimate, hang up and call the company directly using the number from their official website

If you already gave them access or paid:

• Disconnect from the internet immediately
• Change your passwords from a different device
• Contact your bank if any financial information was involved
• Report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre.ca
• Bring your device in and we can check it over and remove anything they may have left behind

Why These Scams Work

These scams are effective because they target fear. Most people aren't sure what a real Windows error looks like, so a fake one is convincing. The alarm sounds, the urgent warning fills the screen, and the instinct kicks in: something is wrong, I need to fix it.

The best defense is knowing the playbook ahead of time. Now you do.