Stop getting scammed online

A familiar logo and an urgent warning can feel convincing. Give yourself time to check before you click, pay, or let someone in.

Start here: stop responding. Open the company’s real app or use a phone number you already trust to verify the claim. Keep passwords and one-time codes to yourself.

Already responded?

You can slow this down

Maybe it is a delivery text. Maybe it is an unexpected invoice, a bank alert, or a browser window loudly insisting your computer is infected. You want to fix the problem and get on with your day. Scammers count on that.

You do not need to spot every fake logo or become a computer expert. A useful habit is to leave the message and check the claim through a separate, trusted route.

Pause before you act

Do not click the link, call the number in the warning, send money, or install software because an unexpected message tells you to. If you are on the phone, hang up. You can investigate without keeping the caller on the line.

A demand to act immediately, keep the conversation secret, buy gift cards, or move money to a “safe” account is a reason to stop. A logo or matching caller ID is not proof of who is contacting you.

Example of a fake full-screen browser security warning A browser page imitates security software with a red threat count and a blue warning. A foreground dialog falsely claims the computer is blocked, threatens that passwords and banking information are at risk, and pressures the visitor to call support and not close the window. The all-zero phone number is a nonworking placeholder. This is an educational illustration, not a real security alert. Security Center× + −× ‹› ⓘsecurity-check.invalid / system-warning••• System Security DashboardScan history ! Your computer is at risk 5 threats found. Immediate action required. Quick scanThreats detected Items scanned: 18,492Scan time: 00:28 Threat nameStatus Trojan: PasswordStealerCritical Spyware: AccountAccessCritical Network access compromisedCritical Security alert× ! ACCESS TO THIS COMPUTERHAS BEEN BLOCKED Suspicious activity has been detected on your device. Your passwords and banking information may be at risk. DO NOT close this window or restart your computer. Doing so may cause loss of data and access to your accounts. Call Technical Support immediately 000-000-0000 Cancel OK SECURITY WARNING — DO NOT IGNORE THIS MESSAGE

Scam example—not a real alert. These pages imitate security software, claim your computer is blocked, and pressure you to call. The address and phone number shown are nonworking placeholders.

Stuck on a full-screen scam warning?

Try this first. It usually gets you back to the browser controls:

  1. Hold down the ESC key for about 5 seconds.
  2. Close the scam tab. Use the real browser tab’s X, or press Ctrl + W on Windows.
  3. If the browser asks whether you want to leave, click “Leave.”

Do not call the number or click buttons inside the warning. If the browser stays stuck, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, select your browser in Task Manager, and choose End task. Unsaved browser work may be lost. When reopening it, do not restore the scam tab.

Check through a trusted route

For a bank warning, open your normal banking app or call the number on the back of your card. For a delivery problem, check the order through the store or carrier’s official app. For an invoice, use contact details you had before the message arrived.

Avoid using the message’s own links or phone numbers to prove it is real. Search ads can lead to fake support numbers too. Use the company’s known website, your statement, or your existing paperwork.

Keep one-time sign-in codes private, and never approve a login you did not initiate. Verify the caller independently before allowing access or sharing anything.

A pop-up is not a diagnosis

A browser page can imitate a security warning, play alarming audio, and claim your computer is locked. Microsoft says its error and warning messages do not include phone numbers.

Do not call the number or click buttons inside the warning. Close the tab or browser using its normal controls. If it will not close, use Windows Task Manager to end the browser. When you reopen it, decline to restore the suspicious tabs.

If someone already had remote access, treat that as a different situation. Closing the warning alone does not remove remote-access software or secure your accounts.

Already responded?

There is no prize for handling this alone. Take the next step that matches what happened, and avoid sending the scammer anything else.

I clicked, but shared nothing

Close the page. Do not download or run anything it offers. A click does not by itself prove your computer is infected. If you downloaded a file, installed software, or entered information, use the relevant steps below and ask for help if you are unsure.

I shared a password or code

From a trusted device, change the affected account’s password through its real app or website. Change any other accounts using that same password, turn on two-factor authentication, and review active sessions. Contact the service through its official recovery process if you are locked out.

I gave someone remote access

End the session and disconnect that computer from Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Use another trusted device to secure important accounts. Have the computer checked for remote-access tools and malware before using it for sensitive tasks again. A clean scan alone does not prove an account was never accessed.

I sent money or personal information

Contact your bank, card issuer, or payment provider immediately using its official app or a known number. Explain what happened and ask what can be stopped or reversed; recovery is not guaranteed. Save messages and receipts. Report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For identity-theft guidance, visit IdentityTheft.gov. Be wary of anyone who wants an upfront fee to recover your money.

Ask before you click

If a message or warning does not feel right, I can help you look at it without the pressure. Tell me what happened. If money is at risk, contact your bank first; I can help with the device side.

Talk to James

Call or text 863-430-0220

Sources: FTC: how to avoid a scam; verify unexpected calls; what to do after a scam; and Microsoft: tech support scams.

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