What to Do If You Get a Fake Microsoft Tech Support Call

The phone rings. The caller says they're from Microsoft — or sometimes Windows, or your internet provider — and they've detected a serious virus on your computer. They need remote access to fix it right away, or you'll lose all your data.

This is a scam. Microsoft does not call people about computer problems. Neither does Apple, Google, or your internet provider. These calls are made by criminal organizations that prey on people who want to protect their computers and trust a caller who sounds authoritative and urgent.

It's one of the most common tech support calls I receive in the Athol area, and unfortunately it's also one of the most damaging when people don't know what's happening until it's too late.

Here's what you need to know.

How the Scam Works

The call follows a predictable script:

1. The caller claims to be from Microsoft (or Windows Support, or your ISP)

2. They say they've detected unusual activity or a virus on your computer

3. They ask you to open a program — often Event Viewer or a command prompt — and show you "errors" that they claim are signs of infection (these are actually normal Windows logs that appear on every computer)

4. They ask you to download a remote access tool (AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or others) so they can "fix" the problem

5. Once connected, they may install actual malware, access your files, copy passwords, or demand payment for fake services — often in gift cards

The same scam also runs as a browser pop-up — a full-screen message that claims your computer is infected and provides a phone number to call. The pop-up often plays an alarm sound and makes it hard to close the browser.

What to Do If You Get the Call — and Haven't Interacted Yet

Hang up. You don't need to be polite. You don't need to explain. Just hang up.

Microsoft does not make unsolicited calls about computer problems. If your computer had a serious security issue, you would not receive a phone call about it. There is no exception to this rule.

If a pop-up appears in your browser — especially one with a phone number — close the browser tab or the entire browser. If the browser won't close, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find the browser, and click "End Task." Do not call the number.

What to Do If You Already Interacted With the Scammer

If you called the number, let them connect to your computer, or gave them any information — act quickly. Time matters here.

Step 1: Disconnect from the internet immediately If a remote session is still active, pull out your ethernet cable or turn off Wi-Fi. This ends their access.

Step 2: Do not pay anything If they're asking for payment — especially in gift cards — do not pay. Gift card payments are a signature of scams because they're nearly impossible to reverse.

Step 3: Call Mike Cote Tech LLC at (978) 763-6164 We help scam victims regularly. We'll connect to or visit your computer to: remove any software the scammers installed, check for keyloggers or remote access tools left behind, review what was accessed, and advise you on next steps.

Step 4: Change your passwords from a different device Use your phone or another computer to change passwords for your email, banking, and any accounts you access on the affected computer. Do this before using the affected computer again.

Step 5: Contact your bank if financial information was involved If you provided credit card information or the scammer had access to your computer while you were logged into banking websites, call your bank immediately to report potential fraud.

Step 6: Report the scam Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to Microsoft at microsoft.com/reportascam. This helps protect others.

How to Protect Yourself Going Forward

• Remember: Microsoft, Apple, and your internet provider will never call you about a computer problem out of the blue

• A phone number in a pop-up warning is always a scam — legitimate software never does this

• If someone asks you to download remote access software after contacting you unsolicited, hang up or close the window

• Consider using a call blocker app on your phone to reduce scam call volume

Mike Cote Tech LLC helps customers in Athol, Gardner, Templeton, Fitchburg, and surrounding towns recover from tech support scams. If this has happened to you, don't wait — call us at (978) 763-6164.

→ Virus & Malware Removal — including scam recovery

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