Tech Support Scam
What is Tech Support Scam?
Tech Support ScamA fraud in which attackers pose as technical support agents from a well-known vendor to convince victims to install remote-access tools, hand over credentials, or pay for fake services.
Tech support scams usually combine intimidating pop-ups, scareware browser lockers, cold calls, or paid search ads impersonating major brands such as Microsoft, Apple, or banks. The victim is talked into installing legitimate remote-control software (AnyDesk, TeamViewer, ScreenConnect), then walked through "diagnostics" that culminate in paying for a non-existent subscription, transferring funds, or granting persistent access for later abuse (refund scams, banking trojan deployment). Defences include browser anti-fraud filters, ad-platform brand-impersonation policies, awareness campaigns aimed at older users, OS-level blocks on unsigned remote-access tools, and clear vendor messaging that they never cold-call customers.
● Examples
- 01
A fake "Windows Defender" pop-up with a toll-free number that connects to scammers selling a fake clean-up service.
- 02
Refund-scam callers who use remote access to manipulate a victim's bank balance and demand returns in crypto.
● Frequently asked questions
What is Tech Support Scam?
A fraud in which attackers pose as technical support agents from a well-known vendor to convince victims to install remote-access tools, hand over credentials, or pay for fake services. It belongs to the Attacks & Threats category of cybersecurity.
What does Tech Support Scam mean?
A fraud in which attackers pose as technical support agents from a well-known vendor to convince victims to install remote-access tools, hand over credentials, or pay for fake services.
How do you defend against Tech Support Scam?
Defences for Tech Support Scam typically combine technical controls and operational practices, as detailed in the full definition above.
What are other names for Tech Support Scam?
Common alternative names include: Fake support fraud, Refund scam.