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Had a Fake “Microsoft” Call?

The steps to take straight away if a scammer posing as Microsoft or tech support got onto your computer.

In short: hang up, disconnect the computer from the internet and don’t use it for banking. Call your bank on 159 or the number on your card, change your passwords from a different device, and report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Then get the computer checked before you use it again.

1. End the contact

Hang up. If they are still connected to your computer, close the remote access program, turn off the Wi-Fi or unplug the network cable, or switch the computer off. Don’t use it for online banking or shopping until it has been checked.

2. Call your bank

If you gave card details, made a payment, or logged in to online banking while they were connected, call your bank now. Dialling 159 connects you to most major UK banks, or use the number on the back of your card. Use a different phone if you can.

3. Change your passwords

From a different device, change the password for your email first, because it can be used to reset everything else. Then change your online banking, shopping and social media passwords, and turn on two-step verification wherever it’s offered.

4. Report it

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report it to Report Fraud (which replaced Action Fraud) on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101. You can also tell Microsoft through its tech support scam form.

5. Get the computer checked

Scammers often leave a remote access program behind so they can come back, and they may have installed other software. Call us on 07963 065354 before you use the computer for anything important, and keep your antivirus running: as a registered reseller we supply Avast antivirus, including Avast CloudCare, which lets us monitor your protection for you.

Signs it was a scam

The call, email or pop-up came out of the blue: Microsoft never contacts people unprompted to ask for access to their computer.
They said your computer was infected, hacked or sending out errors.
They asked you to install a program or type in a code so they could connect.
They asked you to log in to your bank to receive a “refund”.

Real remote support starts with you: see is remote support safe? for how a genuine session works.

Questions We Get Asked

Will Microsoft phone me about a virus?

No. Microsoft never contacts people unprompted to ask for access to their computer, so any call like that is a scam.

I let them connect but didn’t pay. Do I still need to do anything?

Yes. They may have left a program behind so they can come back, or seen saved passwords. Disconnect the computer, change your passwords and get it checked.

Where do I report a scam?

Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at reportfraud.police.uk (Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland). Forward scam texts to 7726, and scam emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.

Next step: get your computer checked

Call us on 07963 065354 before you use the computer for anything important. Then read how genuine remote support works, so you can tell the difference next time, or send us a message.

Need a Hand?

Call us on 07963 065354, or send us a message and we’ll get back to you.