---
title: "Tech support scams: pop-ups and calls | URLert"
description: "A warning that your computer has a virus or your account was hacked, with a number to call, or a caller who wants to connect to your computer. What to do instead."
url: https://www.urlert.com/scams/tech-support
mcp: https://www.urlert.com/mcp
---

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# Tech support pop‑ups and calls

A warning that your computer has a virus or your account was hacked, with a number to call, or a caller who wants to connect to your computer. What to do instead.

A full-screen pop-up with an alarm

WARNING! Your computer is infected. Do not close this window. Call Microsoft Support: +1 555 0105

On this page

1. What it looks like
2. How to spot one
3. What to do
4. Already acted?
5. Similar scams

## What it looks like

A full-screen pop-up with an alarm

WARNING! Your computer is infected. Do not close this window. Call Microsoft Support: +1 555 0105

An email

From to me

Norton: Your subscription renewed for $399.99. Not you? Call +1 555 0166 to cancel.

A call

The caller says

“This is Microsoft. We've found problems on your computer. Please install AnyDesk so we can fix it.”

Examples. The names and amounts change; the shape doesn't.

## How to spot one

1. **A pop-up with a phone number,** an alarm or a countdown. Real warnings don't give you a number to call.
2. **A call or message you didn't ask for about your computer,** even right after you asked for help in a public group. Real companies don't call, message or pop up to fix your computer.
3. **They want to connect to your computer or phone,** or ask you to install an app so they can help.
4. **A “refund” that needs your bank.** They ask you to sign in to your bank so they can pay you back, then say they sent too much.

## What to do

1. **Don't call the number.** Close the browser. If it won't close, restart the computer.
2. **Hang up.** Never let someone you don't know connect to your computer or phone.
3. **Need help with your computer?** Ask someone you trust, or a repair shop you find yourself.
4. **Still not sure?** [Check the message](https://www.urlert.com/index.md). We open its link on a phone and a computer, not yours, and tell you what it is.

### Already called, let them in or paid?

- [I let someone into my computer or phone](https://www.urlert.com/recover/remote.md)
- [I installed something](https://www.urlert.com/recover/installed.md)
- [I gave my card details](https://www.urlert.com/recover/card.md)
- [I sent money](https://www.urlert.com/recover/money.md)

## Similar scams

- [Fake downloads and apps](https://www.urlert.com/scams/fake-downloads.md)
- [Messages that want you to call or reply](https://www.urlert.com/scams/call-or-reply.md)
- [Fake “verify you're human” pages](https://www.urlert.com/scams/fake-verify-human.md)

On this page

1. What it looks like
2. How to spot one
3. What to do
4. Already acted?
5. Similar scams

[URLert home](https://www.urlert.com/index.md)

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