Fake Tech Support Scams Targeting Irish Consumers
Irish consumers receive fake Microsoft, Apple, and bank support calls claiming their devices or accounts have been compromised, and are directed to pay for non-existent fixes via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Part of: Fake Tech Support Calls
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake tech support scams are consistently among the top fraud types reported to the Garda Siochana and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) in Ireland. Callers impersonate Microsoft, Apple, Irish bank fraud departments, and even An Post parcel services to manufacture enough believable detail to convince victims to act.
Ireland's older internet users are disproportionately targeted, but younger victims are increasingly reported — particularly through pop-up scams that appear on legitimate news and entertainment sites and display fake Microsoft or Apple security warnings.
How this scam works on Ireland
A victim's browser displays a full-screen alert claiming their computer is infected with a virus and instructs them to call a support number immediately. The caller answers as 'Microsoft Technical Support' or a similar identity and walks the victim through 'diagnostic steps' that appear to confirm the infection.
The 'fix' costs a fee, payable by gift card, bank transfer, or cryptocurrency. Some callers request remote access to the victim's computer via AnyDesk or TeamViewer — access used to harvest bank credentials or to stage further fraud directly from the victim's device.
Irish bank impersonation variants are particularly sophisticated: callers claim to be from the bank's fraud team and reference recent genuine transactions to establish credibility, before requesting a one-time passcode (OTP) sent to the victim's phone — used immediately to authorise a fraudulent transfer.
Common red flags
- Pop-up warning with a phone number claiming your computer is infected with a virus from Microsoft or Apple
- Caller who requests remote access to your device via AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or AnyDesk
- Bank fraud department caller asking you to read out your OTP or confirm your PIN
- Payment request for a tech support service via gift card or Bitcoin
- Caller who knows your name and recent bank transaction details but was unsolicited
How to protect yourself
- Close browser pop-ups with security warnings by pressing Alt+F4 or force-quitting the browser — they are not genuine
- Microsoft and Apple never make unsolicited support calls — hang up immediately
- Never share an OTP with a caller, regardless of how credible their bank identity appears
- Contact your bank using the number on the back of your card to verify any fraud alert independently
- Report tech support pop-ups to the CCPC at ccpc.ie
How to report it
- Report to An Garda Siochana at garda.ie
- File a complaint with the CCPC at ccpc.ie/consumer/contact-us
- Contact your bank immediately if remote access was granted or OTPs were shared
Frequently asked questions
Can a pop-up virus warning on a website actually detect a real virus?
No. Websites cannot scan your device for viruses — that requires installed security software. Any pop-up claiming your device is infected and providing a phone number is a scam. Close the browser window and run a scan with your actual installed antivirus software if you are concerned.