$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
antivirus subscription renewal scam
A fake email or pop-up claims your antivirus subscription is expiring or has been auto-renewed for a large amount and directs you to call a number or click a link to cancel or get a refund.
“impersonation scam”
↑ 604%Key indicators
Usually targetsOnline consumers
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $12K
Recovery rate~15%
Annual reports330,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send emails mimicking Norton, McAfee, or other antivirus brands claiming an auto-renewal charge.
2
Victims call the provided number and are connected to a fake support agent who requests remote access.
3
The agent pretends to process a refund but instead steals banking credentials or installs malware on the victim's device.
What to do first
Check your actual antivirus subscription status by logging into the official vendor's website directly.
Related terms
fake Norton renewal emailMcAfee auto-charge scamantivirus refund phishingBrand impersonation scamsEmailSurgingOnline consumersOlder adultsAccount holdersFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadafake Norton renewal emailMcAfee auto-charge scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Mark, 35, a online consumers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate brand impersonation scams situation while using Email. Scammers send emails mimicking Norton, McAfee, or other antivirus brands claiming an auto-renewal charge.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Victims call the provided number and are connected to a fake support agent who requests remote access.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The agent pretends to process a refund but instead steals banking credentials or installs malware on the victim's device.
The outcome
Mark realized something was wrong when email claims a large charge — often 300 to 500 usd — for an antivirus renewal you did not authorize. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Check your actual antivirus subscription status by logging into the official vendor's website directly. Mark's experience shows why email claims a large charge — often 300 to 500 usd — for an antivirus renewal you did not authorize and provides a phone number to call for a 'refund' that is not the official company support line are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Email claims a large charge — often 300 to 500 USD — for an antivirus renewal you did not authorize
- Provides a phone number to call for a 'refund' that is not the official company support line
- Asks you to install remote access software so they can 'process' your refund
- 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 actual antivirus subscription status by logging into the official vendor's website directly.
- ✓Never call phone numbers from emails claiming auto-renewals — use the contact information from the official website.
- ✓Never grant remote access to your computer based on an unsolicited email or phone call.
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.
- Norton, McAfee, and other major antivirus vendors warn on their websites about phishing emails impersonating their brand and requesting phone calls or remote access.
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 actual antivirus subscription status by logging into the official vendor's website directly.
- ✓Never call phone numbers from emails claiming auto-renewals — use the contact information from the official website.
- ✓Never grant remote access to your computer based on an unsolicited email or phone call.
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.
Norton, McAfee, and other major antivirus vendors warn on their websites about phishing emails impersonating their brand and requesting phone calls or remote access.
BBB Scam Tracker 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
Online consumers, Older adults, Account holders
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
Email — Brand impersonation scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Online consumers 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
- Norton, McAfee, and other major antivirus vendors warn on their websites about phishing emails impersonating their brand and requesting phone calls or remote access.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about antivirus subscription renewal scam
How does the antivirus subscription renewal scam work?+
Scammers send emails mimicking Norton, McAfee, or other antivirus brands claiming an auto-renewal charge. Victims call the provided number and are connected to a fake support agent who requests remote access. The agent pretends to process a refund but instead steals banking credentials or installs malware on the victim's device.
What are the warning signs of antivirus subscription renewal scam?+
Email claims a large charge — often 300 to 500 USD — for an antivirus renewal you did not authorize Provides a phone number to call for a 'refund' that is not the official company support line Asks you to install remote access software so they can 'process' your refund
What should I do if I encounter antivirus subscription renewal scam?+
Check your actual antivirus subscription status by logging into the official vendor's website directly. Never call phone numbers from emails claiming auto-renewals — use the contact information from the official website. Never grant remote access to your computer based on an unsolicited email or phone call.
Who is most at risk for antivirus subscription renewal scam?+
This scam primarily targets Online consumers, Older adults, Account holders. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Email.
Is antivirus subscription renewal scam getting worse?+
antivirus subscription renewal scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. 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.