$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
cold call tech support scam
Scammers call victims unprompted, claiming to be from a major tech company, and warn of a fictitious security issue to gain remote access or extract payment.
“tech support scam”
↑ 336%Key indicators
Usually targetsOlder adults
Often hitsRetirees and seniors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$1.2K
median reported loss
Typical range$120 – $30K
Recovery rate~20%
Annual reports37,560
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers cold-call victims claiming to represent Microsoft, Apple, or an internet service provider
2
They use social engineering to convince the victim their computer has a serious problem
3
Once remote access is granted, they install malware, steal credentials, or demand payment for fake services
What to do first
Hang up immediately as legitimate tech companies never make unsolicited support calls
Related terms
unsolicited tech support callphone tech scamcold call computer repair fraudTech support scamsPhoneSurgingOlder adultsNon-technical usersLandline usersRetirees and seniorsImmigrants and visa holdersUnited StatesUnited KingdomAustraliaunsolicited tech support callphone tech scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Kevin, 35, a older adults, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate tech support scams situation while using Phone. Scammers cold-call victims claiming to represent Microsoft, Apple, or an internet service provider
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They use social engineering to convince the victim their computer has a serious problem
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Once remote access is granted, they install malware, steal credentials, or demand payment for fake services
The outcome
Kevin realized something was wrong when unsolicited call claiming your computer has been compromised or is sending errors. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Hang up immediately as legitimate tech companies never make unsolicited support calls Kevin's experience shows why unsolicited call claiming your computer has been compromised or is sending errors and caller asks you to install remote access software like anydesk or teamviewer are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Unsolicited call claiming your computer has been compromised or is sending errors
- Caller asks you to install remote access software like AnyDesk or TeamViewer
- Caller demands payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
- 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
- ✓Hang up immediately as legitimate tech companies never make unsolicited support calls
- ✓Never grant remote access to your computer based on an incoming phone call
- ✓Report the call to the FTC Do Not Call Registry and your phone carrier
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.
- ✓Save the full chat or call log before blocking the sender so the reporting path still has the original context.
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.
- Microsoft reports receiving over 6,500 tech support scam complaints per month globally
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.
- ✓Tell close contacts if a phone or text scam used your identity, so scammers cannot reuse the same story against people around you.
- ✓Hang up immediately as legitimate tech companies never make unsolicited support calls
- ✓Never grant remote access to your computer based on an incoming 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.
Microsoft reports receiving over 6,500 tech support scam complaints per month globally
OpenScam research
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
Older adults, Non-technical users, Landline users
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Australia
Primary channel
Phone — Tech support scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Older adults 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
- Microsoft reports receiving over 6,500 tech support scam complaints per month globally
Source notes
- OpenScam research
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about cold call tech support scam
How does the cold call tech support scam work?+
Scammers cold-call victims claiming to represent Microsoft, Apple, or an internet service provider They use social engineering to convince the victim their computer has a serious problem Once remote access is granted, they install malware, steal credentials, or demand payment for fake services
What are the warning signs of cold call tech support scam?+
Unsolicited call claiming your computer has been compromised or is sending errors Caller asks you to install remote access software like AnyDesk or TeamViewer Caller demands payment via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
What should I do if I encounter cold call tech support scam?+
Hang up immediately as legitimate tech companies never make unsolicited support calls Never grant remote access to your computer based on an incoming phone call Report the call to the FTC Do Not Call Registry and your phone carrier
Who is most at risk for cold call tech support scam?+
This scam primarily targets Older adults, Non-technical users, Landline users. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Australia and typically appears on Phone.
Is cold call tech support scam getting worse?+
cold call tech support scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, 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.