Staying safe
How to spot and avoid tech scams and pop-ups
By Bhavesh Narsai · Published 1 July 2026 · Updated 13 July 2026
Scammers love to prey on people through their computers, and they are getting cleverer. If you have ever had a scary pop-up saying your computer is infected, or a phone call claiming to be from Microsoft, you have met one. Here is how to recognise the common tricks and, more importantly, what to do so you stay safe.
Quick answer
Genuine tech companies never cold-call about your computer or put phone numbers in scary pop-ups. If you see a pop-up saying you are infected, do not call the number, just close the browser. Never give remote access or your passwords to anyone who contacted you out of the blue. If in doubt, check with someone you trust first.
The common scams
- The scary pop-up. A full-screen warning saying your computer is infected, often with alarms and a phone number to call. It is fake. Its only job is to frighten you into ringing.
- The "Microsoft" or "BT" phone call. Someone calls out of the blue saying they have detected a problem with your computer. Real companies do not do this. Ever.
- Remote access. They ask you to install software so they can "fix" your computer. What they really want is control of it, and access to your files and banking.
- The refund trick. You are told you are owed a refund, then persuaded to let them onto your computer or into your bank to "process" it. It is a way to steal, not to pay you.
How to spot them
Nearly all of these share the same tells: they arrive unexpectedly, they try to make you panic and act fast, and they push you to hand over access, money or passwords. Real companies do not cold-call about your computer, do not put phone numbers in pop-ups, and never ask for your passwords.
What to do
- Do not call the number in a pop-up, and do not click the pop-up. Close the browser, or restart the computer if it will not close.
- Hang up on unexpected "tech support" calls. You do not need to be polite to a scammer.
- Never give remote access to anyone who contacted you out of the blue.
- Never share passwords or bank details over the phone or to a pop-up.
- If you are not sure, ask someone you trust before doing anything. Taking a minute to check is exactly what the scammer does not want.
If you think you have been caught out
Do not panic, and do not feel silly, these scams fool careful people every day. If you let someone onto your computer or shared details, disconnect it from the internet, change important passwords from a different device, and contact your bank if any financial details were involved. Then get the computer checked over properly to make sure nothing was left behind.
In Bolton and worried a pop-up or caller may have got to your computer? I can check it over, remove anything that should not be there, and make sure you are safe again, calmly and without making you feel daft. Happy to help all ages.
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Common questions
Is the virus warning pop-up on my screen real?
Almost certainly not. Genuine security software never puts a phone number in a scary full-screen pop-up. Do not call the number and do not click anything, just close the browser. If it will not close, shut the device down and reopen it.
Microsoft called about my computer, is it genuine?
No. Microsoft, Apple, BT and your bank never cold-call about a problem with your computer. It is a scam designed to get remote access or payment. Hang up, and never let someone who contacted you out of the blue onto your device.
I think I have been scammed, what should I do?
If you gave remote access, disconnect the device from the internet and get it checked. If you shared card or bank details, contact your bank straight away. Change any passwords you gave out. Acting quickly limits the damage, so do not wait out of embarrassment.