$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
antivirus subscription auto-renew scam
An email or popup claims your antivirus subscription has auto-renewed for a large amount, urging you to call to cancel — the goal is to gain remote access or steal payment info.
“fake virus alert”
↑ 59%Key indicators
Usually targetsNon-technical users
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send mass emails mimicking invoices from Norton, McAfee, or other antivirus brands, showing a large renewal charge.
2
Panicked recipients call the number to cancel and are asked to install remote access software for a refund.
3
Once connected, scammers access banking sites, manipulate screens to show fake overpayments, and request wire transfers to correct the error.
What to do first
Check your bank or credit card statement directly — do not use the phone number in the email.
Related terms
auto-renewal scam emailfake subscription renewalantivirus charge scamFake antivirus scamsEmailSurgingNon-technical usersOlder adultsPC usersFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesCanadaUnited Kingdomauto-renewal scam emailfake subscription renewal
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Carlos, 35, a non-technical users, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate fake antivirus scams situation while using Email. Scammers send mass emails mimicking invoices from Norton, McAfee, or other antivirus brands, showing a large renewal charge.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Panicked recipients call the number to cancel and are asked to install remote access software for a refund.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Once connected, scammers access banking sites, manipulate screens to show fake overpayments, and request wire transfers to correct the error.
The outcome
Carlos realized something was wrong when an email claims a charge of 300 to 500 usd for an antivirus renewal you never signed up for. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Check your bank or credit card statement directly — do not use the phone number in the email. Carlos's experience shows why an email claims a charge of 300 to 500 usd for an antivirus renewal you never signed up for and the email urges you to call a number to dispute the charge rather than log into an account portal are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- An email claims a charge of 300 to 500 USD for an antivirus renewal you never signed up for
- The email urges you to call a number to dispute the charge rather than log into an account portal
- The sender address does not match the official domain of the antivirus company
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Check your bank or credit card statement directly — do not use the phone number in the email.
- ✓Log into the real antivirus provider's website to verify your subscription status.
- ✓Forward the phishing email to the antivirus company's abuse team and report it to the FTC.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The FTC received tens of thousands of reports about subscription renewal scams impersonating antivirus companies in 2023, making it one of the most reported phishing themes.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Check your bank or credit card statement directly — do not use the phone number in the email.
- ✓Log into the real antivirus provider's website to verify your subscription status.
- ✓Forward the phishing email to the antivirus company's abuse team and report it to the FTC.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The FTC received tens of thousands of reports about subscription renewal scams impersonating antivirus companies in 2023, making it one of the most reported phishing themes.
FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Non-technical users, Older adults, PC users
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia
Primary channel
Email — Fake antivirus scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Non-technical users are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The FTC received tens of thousands of reports about subscription renewal scams impersonating antivirus companies in 2023, making it one of the most reported phishing themes.
Source notes
- FTC Consumer Sentinel 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about antivirus subscription auto-renew scam
How does the antivirus subscription auto-renew scam work?+
Scammers send mass emails mimicking invoices from Norton, McAfee, or other antivirus brands, showing a large renewal charge. Panicked recipients call the number to cancel and are asked to install remote access software for a refund. Once connected, scammers access banking sites, manipulate screens to show fake overpayments, and request wire transfers to correct the error.
What are the warning signs of antivirus subscription auto-renew scam?+
An email claims a charge of 300 to 500 USD for an antivirus renewal you never signed up for The email urges you to call a number to dispute the charge rather than log into an account portal The sender address does not match the official domain of the antivirus company
What should I do if I encounter antivirus subscription auto-renew scam?+
Check your bank or credit card statement directly — do not use the phone number in the email. Log into the real antivirus provider's website to verify your subscription status. Forward the phishing email to the antivirus company's abuse team and report it to the FTC.
Who is most at risk for antivirus subscription auto-renew scam?+
This scam primarily targets Non-technical users, Older adults, PC users. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and typically appears on Email.
Is antivirus subscription auto-renew scam getting worse?+
antivirus subscription auto-renew scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, CA, UK, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.