Scammed by Fake Tech Support? What to Do Right Now

Act fast. The first few hours matter most. Tech support scams are among the costliest scams in the U.S. Americans reported losing $2.1 billion to them in 2025, according to the FBI. Older adults lost about half of that. If it happened to you, you’re not alone, and you’re not foolish. Scammers do this all day, and they’re good at it.

Here’s exactly what to do, in order.

Do These 6 Things Right Now

1. Disconnect the computer

   Turn off Wi-Fi or unplug the internet cable. Then shut the computer down. This cuts the scammer off if they still have access.

2. Call your bank and card companies

   Use the number on the back of your card, not a number the scammer gave you. Tell them you were scammed. Ask them to stop or reverse the charges and watch for new ones. See “How you paid” below for gift cards, wires, apps and crypto.

3. Change your passwords from a different device

   Use your phone or another computer, not the one they touched. Start with your email, then your bank. Change any password you reused anywhere else. Turn on two-step sign-in.

4. Report it today

   File at IC3.gov (the FBI) and ReportFraud.ftc.gov (the FTC). If you sent a wire or bank transfer, report it to the FBI within 72 hours. That gives their Recovery Asset Team the best chance to freeze the money. In 2025 they froze $679 million.

5. Have a trusted technician check the computer

   Scammers often leave remote access tools behind so they can come back later. Don’t go back online with it until it’s been checked. Find a trusted provider.

6. Hang up on “refund” calls

   Scammers often call back and offer to help you get your money back, for a fee or with remote access. It’s the same scam again. Real agencies never charge you to recover money.

How You Paid Decides What to Do Next

Call the company you paid through right away. Tell them you were tricked by a scammer and ask for a refund or reversal.

• Credit card: Call the number on the back of the card and dispute the charge. Federal law gives you strong protection.
• Debit card: Call your bank right away. You’re protected too, but the sooner you report it, the better.
• Zelle or bank transfer: Call your bank and ask them to reverse the payment.
• Wire transfer (Western Union, MoneyGram): Call the wire company, ask for a recall, and file at IC3.gov within 72 hours.
• Payment app (PayPal, Venmo, Cash App): Report the payment in the app and ask for a reversal.
• Gift card: Call the number on the back of the card. Keep the card and receipt. The FTC lists contact numbers for major gift card companies.
• Cryptocurrency or a crypto ATM: Contact the exchange or ATM company and ask for a reversal. Crypto is hard to get back, so report it to IC3 with the wallet address and transaction ID.
• Cash in the mail: Call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455. They may be able to stop the package. For FedEx or UPS, call the carrier.

If They Got Your Personal Information

• Social Security number: Go to IdentityTheft.gov for a free recovery plan.
• Freeze your credit. It’s free and stops anyone from opening new accounts in your name. You have to do it at each bureau: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
• Account logins: If you can still sign in, change the password and turn on two-step sign-in. If you’re locked out, use the FTC’s steps to recover a hacked account.
• Watch your statements for the next few months. Scammers sometimes charge you again later.

If They Were on Your Computer

Assume they left something behind. Scammers often install remote access programs, fake security tools or password stealers. A technician should:

• Remove any remote access programs you didn’t install yourself.
• Run a full scan with up-to-date security software.
• Check your browser for strange extensions and saved passwords.
• Make sure your email has no forwarding rules the scammer added.

Only let in a company you found and contacted yourself. Check a company before you let anyone connect.

Talk to a Real Person for Free

• AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern. Free for anyone, member or not.
• National Elder Fraud Hotline (U.S. Department of Justice, for people 60 and older): 833-372-8311, Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. They can help you file your reports.
• Your state attorney general and local police take reports too. Ask the police for a report number. Your bank may need it.

How to Spot the Next One

• Real companies don’t call you first about a virus or a problem with your computer.
• Pop-ups with a phone number are fake. Real security warnings never ask you to call. Close the browser.
• Scammers buy search ads. The top result for “Microsoft support” or “printer help” can be a scam.
• Gift cards, crypto, wires and payment apps are how scammers want to be paid. Real tech support takes a card.
• Fake renewal emails say you were charged hundreds of dollars and tell you to call. Check your real account instead.
• “Move your money to keep it safe” is always a scam, even if the caller says they’re the bank or the government.

Need computer help you can trust? Every provider in our directory agreed to our standards, and accredited providers are marked in green.

Sources: FTC: What To Do if You Were Scammed, FTC: Tech Support Scams, FBI IC3 2025 Internet Crime Report, DOJ National Elder Fraud Hotline, AARP Fraud Watch Network.