Tech Support Scams: Microsoft/Apple Impersonators Exposed

The Call That Stole $12,000

The phone rang. Caller ID said “Microsoft Support.”

“Your computer has 37 viruses,” the man said urgently. “We detected them from our servers. Your bank accounts are at risk.”

Linda panicked. She was 67 and not tech-savvy. Moreover, her computer had been running slowly lately. Therefore, this seemed real.

“Let me help you,” he said. “I just need remote access.”

Four hours later, Linda had paid $12,000 for “virus removal” and “lifetime protection.” Additionally, she gave the scammer remote access to her computer. Furthermore, she provided her banking passwords when he said he needed to “secure” her accounts.

The next morning, her bank account was empty. Her computer was locked. The “Microsoft support” number was disconnected.

This is a tech support scam. And it happens thousands of times every day.

How Tech Support Scams Work

These scams follow a simple playbook. Here’s the pattern:

The Contact

Phone Call Method:

They call you pretending to be Microsoft, Apple, or your internet provider
Claim they detected viruses or hackers on your computer
Create urgent fear: “Your data will be stolen in 2 hours!”
Pressure you to act immediately

Pop-Up Method:

Fake virus warnings appear on your screen
Scary messages: “VIRUS DETECTED! DO NOT CLOSE THIS WINDOW!”
Shows a phone number to call
Computer may freeze or make alarm sounds
You call them, thinking you’re calling real tech support

The Hook

Once they have your attention:

They sound professional and technical
Use real company names and logos
Reference actual error messages from your computer
Create panic with urgent language
Offer to “fix” the problem immediately

The Scam

Then they execute the theft:

Step 1: Remote Access

They ask you to install software (TeamViewer, AnyDesk, LogMeIn)
This gives them complete control of your computer
They can see everything: passwords, bank accounts, files

Step 2: Fake Diagnosis

They run fake scans showing “viruses”
Actually, they’re just opening normal system files
They make it look scary with technical jargon
“You have 47 critical threats!”

Step 3: The Payment

Demand payment for “repairs”: $200-$5,000
Want gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
Never credit cards (too easy to dispute)
Claim it’s urgent to “protect” your data

Step 4: Additional Theft While you’re distracted:

They install real malware
They steal stored passwords
They access banking information
They copy personal documents
They might lock your computer and demand a ransom

Real Victim: Mark’s $8,500 Nightmare

Mark, age 52, was browsing the internet when a pop-up froze his screen. Red alerts flashed everywhere. A robotic voice warned: “Your computer is infected! Call Microsoft immediately!”

The number looked official. Mark called. A man with an Indian accent answered: “Microsoft Security Department.”

The scammer walked Mark through installing remote access software. Then, he showed Mark files on his own computer, claiming they were viruses. Actually, they were normal Windows system files.

“This is very serious,” the scammer said. “We need to clean your system immediately. The cost is $8,500 for premium protection.”

Mark hesitated. That seemed expensive. But the scammer pressured him: “If we don’t fix this now, hackers will drain your bank accounts tonight.”

Mark paid with gift cards. $8,500 worth of iTunes and Google Play cards. The scammer stayed on the phone while Mark bought and read the codes.

Two days later, Mark’s actual bank was calling. Someone had withdrawn $15,000 from his account. Additionally, his computer was locked with ransomware. The scammer had stolen everything.

Total loss: $23,500 ($8,500 gift cards + $15,000 bank theft).

An informational graphic warning that 'MICROSOFT WILL NEVER CALL YOU,' a key fact to remember to avoid tech support impersonation scams.

The Truth About Microsoft and Apple

Here’s what you must understand:

Microsoft will NEVER:

Call you about viruses
Send unsolicited pop-ups with phone numbers
Ask for remote access
Demand immediate payment
Request gift cards

Apple will NEVER:

Cold call about security issues
Show pop-up warnings with phone numbers
Ask you to install remote access software
Demand payment for virus removal
Contact you unless you initiated contact

Real tech companies:

Don’t monitor your computer remotely
Can’t detect viruses from their end
Won’t call you out of the blue
Direct you to official stores/websites only
Never want gift cards as payment

Warning Signs of Tech Support Scams

Spot these red flags instantly:

🚩 Red Flag #1: Unsolicited Contact: They called you first. Real companies don’t do this.

🚩 Red Flag #2: Urgent Pressure: “Your computer will crash in 1 hour!” Real problems don’t work this way.

🚩 Red Flag #3: Remote Access Request: No legitimate company asks for this during cold calls.

🚩 Red Flag #4: Gift Card Payment: Legitimate companies accept credit cards, not iTunes cards.

🚩 Red Flag #5: Scary Pop-Ups: Real virus warnings come from your antivirus software, not web browsers.

🚩 Red Flag #6: Foreign Accent + American Name: “This is John from Texas” with a thick Indian accent. Obviously fake.

🚩 Red Flag #7: Long Phone Support: Real tech support takes minutes. Scammers keep you on for hours to build trust.

A cybersecurity infographic showing a central shield protecting devices by blocking tech support scammers and rejecting fraudulent payment methods.

What To Do During a Scam Call

If you get a suspicious call:

Step 1: Hang Up Immediately: Don’t engage. Don’t argue. Just hang up.

Step 2: Don’t Call Back: Even if they gave you a number. It’s fake.

Step 3: If You Gave Remote Access

Shut down your computer immediately
Disconnect from the internet
Take it to a real tech professional
Change all passwords from a different device

Step 4: If You Paid

Contact your bank immediately
Report to gift card companies (might recover funds)
File a police report
Report to FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Step 5: Check for Malware: Run legitimate antivirus scans. Consider professional help.

How To Get Real Tech Support

When you actually need help:

For Microsoft:

Go to support.microsoft.com
Use the official Microsoft Store
Call numbers from Microsoft’s official website only

For Apple:

Visit Apple.com/support
Go to Apple Store in person
Use Apple Support app
Call 1-800-MY-APPLE (from Apple’s website)

For Other Issues:

Contact your computer manufacturer directly
Use Geek Squad or similar (in person)
Hire local, verified technicians
Check reviews carefully

Never:

Call numbers from pop-ups
Trust unsolicited calls
Give remote access to strangers
Pay with gift cards

The Scale of the Problem

Tech support scams are massive:

Reports in 2022: 51,000+ victims
Total losses: $806 million
Average loss: $15,800 per victim
Mostly targets seniors (age 60+)
Increasing 50% year over year

Most victims never report. Therefore, real numbers are much higher. Moreover, many victims are too embarrassed to come forward.

A hooded hacker in a dark room at a multi-monitor workstation, representing the sophisticated criminal operations that run large-scale tech support scams.

Why Seniors Are Targeted

Scammers specifically target older people because:

Less tech-savvy, more likely to believe warnings
More savings and retirement funds
More trusting of authority figures
Less likely to verify information
Ashamed to report (think they should have known better)

If you have elderly parents or relatives, warn them about these scams. Additionally, set up their computers with actual antivirus software. Furthermore, put contact numbers for real tech support on their desks.

The Bottom Line

No legitimate tech company will ever call you about viruses. If someone claims your computer is infected and wants money or remote access, it’s 100% a scam.

Real virus warnings come from antivirus software you installed, not random phone calls or pop-ups. Real tech support happens when you initiate contact, not the other way around.

The fear is fake. The urgency is manufactured. The “technician” is a criminal. And your money will disappear forever.

If your computer has real problems, close all browsers and contact tech support yourself through official channels only. Take your time. Do research. Verify everything.

Because the only virus on your computer is the scammer on your phone.

Hang up. Block the number. And remember: Microsoft and Apple have better things to do than monitor your computer from their headquarters.

Stay skeptical. Stay safe. And never, ever give remote access to someone who called you first.