Tech Support Cold Call Scams
Phone scams cost Americans $1.4 billion in 2024, according to the FTC.
Quick Answer
Tech support scams, often initiated by an unsolicited phone call, resulted in losses of nearly $1 billion from over 37,500 victims in 2023, with nearly half of the victims being over age 60 (FBI IC3 2023 Report).
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How It Works
1
A scammer calls you unexpectedly, claiming to be from a well-known tech company like Microsoft, Apple, or Geek Squad. They use a fake caller ID to appear legitimate and state that they have detected a virus, malware, or other serious security threat on your computer.
2
The fake technician creates a sense of urgency and panic, insisting that your financial information and personal data are at risk. To prove the problem exists, they ask for remote access to your computer and direct you to system logs or event viewers, misinterpreting normal system activity as evidence of a critical error.
3
Once they have remote access, the scammer may install actual malware, steal your personal information, or lock you out of your device. They then demand payment for unnecessary and worthless repair services, often via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, which are difficult to trace or reverse.
4
In some variations, the scammer will access the victim's bank accounts under the guise of issuing a refund. They then "accidentally" over-refund the amount and coerce the victim into sending the difference back, which is just another way to steal their money.
Red Flags
- You receive an unsolicited phone call from someone claiming to be from a major tech company about a problem with your computer.
- The caller creates a strong sense of urgency, pressuring you to act immediately to avoid dire consequences.
- They ask for remote access to your computer or device.
- The caller insists on payment for services via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- You are asked to provide passwords or other sensitive personal or financial information over the phone.
- The caller directs you to a website or asks you to download software to "fix" the issue.
- Your browser freezes and a pop-up warning appears with a phone number to call for help; real security warnings never ask you to call a number.
What to Do If Targeted
- If you receive an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be tech support, hang up immediately. Legitimate companies will not contact you this way.
- Never give control of your computer or provide passwords to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.
- If you paid a scammer with a credit or debit card, contact your bank or card issuer immediately to report the fraud and request a chargeback.
- If you gave a scammer remote access, disconnect your device from the internet, run a security scan with legitimate antivirus software, and consider having it professionally checked.
- Change your passwords for all your online accounts, especially for banking and email, if you believe they may have been compromised.
- If you bought gift cards to pay a scammer, contact the gift card company right away and explain it was a fraudulent transaction to see if they can refund the money.
How to Report It
- FTC — File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Your report helps investigators identify and stop scammers.
- FBI IC3 — Report the incident to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), especially if you lost money or personal information.
- FCC — File a complaint about phone scams, robocalls, or unwanted calls with the Federal Communications Commission.
- AARP Fraud Helpline — Call 877-908-3360 for free support from trained fraud specialists. Available to anyone, not just AARP members.
Key Statistics
- Tech support scams were the third-largest cause of financial loss in 2025, with victims losing over $2.1 billion. — FBI Internet Crime Report 2025
- In 2023, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received nearly 18,000 tech support scam complaints from victims over the age of 60, with losses nearing $600 million. — FBI 2023 Elder Fraud Report
- Together, tech support and government impersonation scams caused approximately $1.3 billion in losses in 2023. — FBI IC3
- Victims over 60 years old accounted for 58% of the losses to call center scams, losing almost $770 million. — FBI 2023 Elder Fraud Report
- In 2023, consumers reported losing $60 million to scams where fraudsters impersonated Microsoft. — FTC 2024
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Frequently Asked Questions
Scammers use a technique called caller ID spoofing to make their calls appear to be from a trusted company like Microsoft or Apple. Do not trust your caller ID for unexpected calls. Legitimate tech companies will not cold-call you to report a problem with your device.
Yes, people of all ages are targeted by tech support scams. While FBI data shows that victims over 60 experience the highest financial losses, younger individuals also report falling for these scams. According to the FTC, people aged 20-29 report losing money to fraud more often than older adults.
Once a scammer has remote access, they can steal sensitive information like bank account details and passwords. They may also install malware, such as spyware or ransomware, that allows them to continue stealing information or lock your computer until you pay them a fee.
Yes, you should report all tech support scam attempts, even if you did not lose money. Reporting the incident to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI at ic3.gov helps authorities track scam trends, identify criminals, and warn other consumers.
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