Fake Tech Support Scams via Phone Calls
Callers impersonate software or hardware companies, claiming your device has critical errors, then charge for fake repairs or install remote-access tools.
Part of: Fake Tech Support Calls
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake tech-support scams over the phone are among the most financially damaging fraud types for older adults and non-technical users. An unsolicited call — or one following a panic-inducing browser pop-up — claims to be from a major technology company reporting errors or a virus on the recipient's device. The caller's confident, technical-sounding language creates the impression of legitimacy.
Once the victim is alarmed, the scammer requests remote access to 'diagnose the problem'. From that point, the attacker can install malware, exfiltrate files, steal saved passwords, and drain banking apps — while billing the victim hundreds of pounds or dollars for the 'repair'.
How this scam works on Phone calls
Most calls open with a claim of detected errors ('We are seeing thousands of error reports from your Windows computer') or a warning about a virus. The caller asks the victim to open Event Viewer or run a command that displays harmless log entries, presenting these as evidence of infection. They then instruct the victim to install a remote-access application to allow 'engineers' to fix the issue.
Payment is usually requested via gift card, wire transfer, or sometimes directly through a banking app that the caller guides the victim to open during the remote session. Some operations run a 'refund scam' variant, claiming to over-refund the victim and instructing them to return the excess — which never existed.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call claiming to be from a technology company about your device
- Caller asks you to open Event Viewer, run commands, or install software
- Request to pay for repairs via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- Caller becomes aggressive or threatening when you question them
- Remote access requested during the call
- Caller has detailed-sounding (but generic) 'error codes' that supposedly identify your computer
How to protect yourself
- Hang up immediately on unsolicited tech-support calls — legitimate companies do not call you to report device errors
- Never install remote-access software at the request of an unsolicited caller
- If remote access was already granted, disconnect immediately, then change all passwords from a clean device
- Warn elderly relatives and others who may be targeted by this tactic
- Contact the real company's official support team independently if you have genuine device concerns
How to report it
- Report to Action Fraud, the FTC, or your national fraud authority
- Report to your telephone provider if the number is known
- Notify the technology company being impersonated via its official fraud or brand-abuse team
Frequently asked questions
A caller said my computer is sending error reports to Microsoft — is this possible?
No. Technology companies do not monitor individual home computers in real time and do not make unsolicited calls about errors. This is a standard opening script used by tech-support scammers worldwide.