AI Tech Support and Customer Service Scams
Scammers use AI-powered chatbots and voice systems to impersonate legitimate tech support, tricking victims into paying for fake services or installing malware.
What is this scam?
Fraudsters create fake tech support services using AI chatbots and voice assistants that impersonate Microsoft, Apple, Google, or your internet provider. They claim your computer is infected or your account is compromised, then charge for unnecessary "repairs" or install malware to steal your information.
AI makes these scams more convincing with:
- Natural-sounding voice calls that pass as human
- 24/7 chatbots that instantly respond
- Professional-looking websites ranking high in search results
- Realistic diagnostic "scans" showing fake problems
🔍How This Scam Works
- Initial contact: Pop-up ad, cold call, or search result for "[company] support number"
- Fear creation: "Your computer is infected" or "Your account was hacked"
- AI interaction: Chatbot or AI voice guides you through "diagnosis"
- Fake scan: Show fabricated security threats
- Urgent fix: Pressure you to pay for immediate repair
- Payment: Request credit card or ask to buy gift cards
- Remote access: Install software to "fix" problem (actually installs malware)
- Ongoing charges: May enroll you in expensive "protection plans"
🚩Red Flags to Watch For
- •Unsolicited pop-up warnings about viruses
- •Phone calls claiming to be from Microsoft/Apple (they don't call)
- •Pressure to act immediately or "lose all your data"
- •Request for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency
- •Ask for remote access to your computer
- •Phone number found via Google search (not official website)
- •Unexpected invoices for tech support subscriptions
- •Can't verify they work for the company they claim
🛡️How to Protect Yourself
- 1Real tech companies don't call you about viruses or hacks
- 2Close suspicious pop-ups without clicking (use Task Manager if needed)
- 3Only contact support using official website numbers
- 4Never give remote access to unsolicited callers
- 5Never pay for tech support with gift cards
- 6Use built-in antivirus (Windows Defender is free and good)
- 7Before calling support number, verify on official company site
- 8Install browser ad-blocker to prevent pop-ups
📞If You've Been Targeted
If you've fallen for this scam:
- Disconnect from internet if they have remote access
- Run antivirus scan from trusted software (Malwarebytes, Windows Defender)
- Change all passwords from a different device
- Contact your bank - Dispute charges and watch for fraud
- Uninstall suspicious software - Check recently installed programs
- Report to FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov)
- Report to FBI IC3 (ic3.gov)
- Report to company impersonated (Microsoft, Apple, etc.)
- Monitor accounts - Watch for identity theft
- Consider professional cleanup if malware persists
Gift cards: Contact gift card company immediately - they may freeze unused balance.
🌍Report & Get Help
Report fraud and get support through these official resources in your country:
🇺🇸United States
- FTC Tech Support Scams
Report and learn
- FBI IC3
Report tech support fraud
- Microsoft Scam Reporting
Report Microsoft impersonation
🇬🇧United Kingdom
- Action Fraud
Report tech support scams
📞 0300 123 2040
- Which? Scam Alert
Consumer protection
🇨🇦Canada
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Report tech support scams
📞 1-888-495-8501
🇦🇺Australia
- Scamwatch Tech Support
Report and learn
- ACCC
Consumer protection
Learn More
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