Tech support scams look different now. Here’s what to watch for

In a tech support scam, criminals pretend to work for a trusted technology or security company. They claim there is a problem with your device, software, subscription, or account, then try to persuade you to pay them, share personal information, or give them remote access to your computer.

These scams used to rely mainly on browser locks and fake virus warnings. Now, scammers use many more ways to reach people, including websites and platforms they trust.

How tech support scams reach you

As well as copying the websites of reputable brands, tech support scammers abuse sponsored search results , hijack on-site searches , create fake listings on trusted platforms, and use renewal scams , fake calendar invites , Apple Pay notifications , and many other methods to persuade people to call them.

Once someone makes contact, the scammers may demand payment, ask for personal information, or try to persuade them to install remote access software.

Beware of someone wanting to connect to your computer remotely. One of a tech support scammer’s most powerful weapons is the ability to connect remotely to a victim’s computer. If you allow this, the scammer may gain access to all of your files, folders, and the information they contain.

Tech support scams impersonating Malwarebytes

Tech support scams affect Malwarebytes directly because scammers often impersonate trusted security companies, as in the example below.

You can tell it’s not the real Malwarebytes when:

• They use a name other than Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes does not outsource its support. We have our own  Support team and do not authorize third parties to provide support using our name, logo, or any other intellectual property.
• They can’t or won’t accept payment by credit card. Malwarebytes uses a credit card processor for all transactions. Credit card processors screen the companies they work with for risks such as fraud and abuse.

In a tech support scam, criminals pretend to work for a trusted technology or security company. They claim there is a problem with your device, software, subscription, or account, then try to persuade you to pay them, share personal information, or give them remote access to your computer.

These scams used to rely mainly on browser locks and fake virus warnings. Now, scammers use many more ways to reach people, including websites and platforms they trust.

How tech support scams reach you As well as copying the websites of reputable brands, tech support scammers abuse sponsored search results, hijack on-site searches, create fake listings on trusted platforms, and use renewal scams, fake calendar invites, Apple Pay notifications, and many other methods to persuade people to call them.

Once someone makes contact, the scammers may demand payment, ask for personal information, or try to persuade them to install remote access software. Beware of someone wanting to connect to your computer remotely. One of a tech support scammer’s most powerful weapons is the ability to connect remotely to a victim’s computer.

If you allow this, the scammer may gain access to all of your files, folders, and the information they contain. Tech support scams impersonating Malwarebytes Tech support scams affect Malwarebytes directly because scammers often impersonate trusted security companies, as in the example below.

You can tell it’s not the real Malwarebytes when: They use a name other than Malwarebytes. Malwarebytes does not outsource its support. We have our own Support team and do not authorize third parties to provide support using our name, logo, or any other intellectual property.