Remote-Access Scam
A fraud in which a scammer convinces the victim to install legitimate remote-desktop software, then uses that access to steal funds, data, or to set up further fraud.
Also known as: remote access fraud, RAT scam, TeamViewer scam, AnyDesk fraud
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Remote-access scams begin with a pretext — most commonly a fake tech-support call, a pop-up warning claiming the computer is infected, a refund-overpayment scenario, or a 'bank fraud team' alert. The scammer talks the victim through downloading a genuine remote-desktop tool such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or QuickSupport, citing it as necessary to 'fix the problem'.
Once connected, the attacker has full visibility and control of the screen. Common next steps include navigating to the victim's banking app or website to authorise transfers, harvesting saved passwords, installing persistent malware for future access, or staging the visual tricks used in refund scams to manufacture a false sense of urgency.
Legitimate organisations — banks, HMRC, Microsoft, Amazon, police — will never proactively ask you to install remote-access software. If asked to do this, hang up immediately. The software itself is not malicious; only the social-engineering context makes it dangerous.
Examples
- A pop-up warning claims your PC is infected with a virus and provides a number to call; the caller then walks you through installing AnyDesk.
- A 'bank fraud agent' asks you to download TeamViewer so they can 'monitor the suspicious transactions' on your account.