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Tech Support Pop-Up Scams: What to Do When Your Screen Locks Up

You are browsing and suddenly a loud message says your computer is infected, with a phone number to call. It is a scam. Your computer is fine. Here is the calm way out.

Step by step

  1. Do not call the number. Real companies do not show full-screen warnings with phone numbers.
  2. Close the window. Try pressing Escape. If that fails, hold the Control, Alt and Delete keys on Windows to open Task Manager, or use Command, Option, Escape on a Mac, then close the browser.
  3. Restart the computer if needed. Hold the power button if the screen is frozen. Reopen the browser without restoring the old pages.
  4. Never give anyone remote access. A caller who asks you to install software or share your screen is the scammer.
  5. Ask AI to walk you through it. Describe what you see and ask for step-by-step help.

A prompt you can copy

Type this into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini

A pop-up on my computer says it has a virus and tells me to call a number. I use Windows. Walk me through closing it safely, one step at a time.

Good to know. If you already gave someone access or paid, call your bank right away and ask a trusted person to help you change your passwords.

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Common questions

Is my computer really infected?

Almost certainly not. The pop-up is just a web page.

Should I run a virus scan?

It does not hurt. Use the antivirus built into your computer.

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