Fake Support Calls on Reddit
Scammers pose as tech support agents in Reddit help subreddits or via DM, convincing victims to call fraudulent phone numbers or grant remote access to their devices.
Part of: Fake Tech Support Calls
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Reddit's help and support communities attract users who are already frustrated and seeking assistance — an ideal target state for social engineers. Fraudulent 'support agents' monitor subreddits for people reporting technical problems, account issues, or software errors, then appear with seemingly helpful responses that redirect to fraudulent phone numbers or remote-access sessions.
The combination of genuine distress and a helpful-seeming stranger in a trusted community environment significantly lowers the victim's guard.
How this scam works on Reddit
A user posts in a technology or software subreddit describing a problem. A scammer replies with a comment or DM presenting as a support representative for the relevant company and provides a phone number or chat link. When the user calls, they are persuaded to install remote-access software or purchase gift cards to 'pay for the support service'.
Another vector involves posts impersonating well-known tech company subreddits, where scammers create fake mod accounts and respond to support-seeking posts with fraudulent contact details.
Crypto and financial-platform support scams follow the same pattern in relevant subreddits — users reporting wallet or account issues are approached by fake 'official support' accounts requesting seed phrases or login credentials.
Common red flags
- Reply from a new account claiming to be official support for a company
- Phone number provided in a Reddit comment rather than on the official company website
- Request to install remote-access software to fix a problem
- Support interaction that escalates to requesting gift card payments
- Account asking for passwords, seed phrases, or verification codes
- Support account with little karma history or recent creation date
How to protect yourself
- Find support contact details only through the official company website — never use numbers found in Reddit comments
- Legitimate support never asks for passwords, seed phrases, or remote access via third-party tools
- Never install software at the direction of someone you met through a Reddit comment
- Check whether the subreddit is officially managed by verifying the linked website in its sidebar
- If you already granted remote access, disconnect immediately and run a security scan
How to report it
- Report the fake support account via Reddit's report function
- Notify the real company's support team so they can alert their community
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov if money or access was lost
Frequently asked questions
Do real companies provide support through Reddit?
Some companies have official subreddits with verified mod accounts. Always check that moderator accounts are marked as official and cross-verify any contact details on the company's main website.