$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
remote access exploitation tech support scam
Scammers convince victims to install remote access software under the guise of tech support, then use it to steal banking credentials, files, and personal data.
“tech support scam”
↑ 336%Key indicators
Estimated impact
$1.8K
median reported loss
Typical range$180 – $45K
Recovery rate~20%
Annual reports37,560
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers establish trust by posing as tech support and identifying a fake problem on the victim's computer
2
They instruct the victim to install legitimate remote access tools like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or UltraViewer
3
With control of the computer, they access banking sites, transfer funds, install persistent backdoors, or steal sensitive files
What to do first
Never install remote access software at the request of someone who contacted you unsolicited
Related terms
remote desktop scamAnyDesk support fraudTeamViewer hijack scamTech support scamsPhoneSurgingOlder adultsNon-technical usersSmall business ownersSmall business ownersCreators and online sellersRetirees and seniorsGlobalremote desktop scamAnyDesk support fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Mark, 35, a older adults, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate tech support scams situation while using Phone. Scammers establish trust by posing as tech support and identifying a fake problem on the victim's computer
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They instruct the victim to install legitimate remote access tools like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or UltraViewer
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: With control of the computer, they access banking sites, transfer funds, install persistent backdoors, or steal sensitive files
The outcome
Mark realized something was wrong when technician asks you to download remote access software from a link they provide. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never install remote access software at the request of someone who contacted you unsolicited Mark's experience shows why technician asks you to download remote access software from a link they provide and they ask you to log into your bank account while they have remote access are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Technician asks you to download remote access software from a link they provide
- They ask you to log into your bank account while they have remote access
- Screen goes black or you are told not to touch the keyboard during the session
- 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
- ✓Never install remote access software at the request of someone who contacted you unsolicited
- ✓If you already granted access, disconnect from the internet immediately and run a full malware scan
- ✓Change all passwords from a different device and contact your bank to freeze suspicious transactions
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.
- The FBI warns that remote access tools are the primary mechanism in tech support fraud, enabling direct theft from victims' bank accounts
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.
- ✓Never install remote access software at the request of someone who contacted you unsolicited
- ✓If you already granted access, disconnect from the internet immediately and run a full malware scan
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 FBI warns that remote access tools are the primary mechanism in tech support fraud, enabling direct theft from victims' bank accounts
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. Global has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
Report cross-border scams
econsumer.gov (ICPEN)
International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network portal for reporting cross-border online scams. Reports are shared with consumer protection agencies in 40+ countries.
Interpol financial crime guidance
Interpol
International policing guidance on online financial fraud, romance scams, and investment fraud operating across borders.
Report phishing emails
Anti-Phishing Working Group
Global industry coalition for reporting phishing emails and URLs. Forward phishing to [email protected].
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Older adults, Non-technical users, Small business owners
Geographic concentration
Global
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
- The FBI warns that remote access tools are the primary mechanism in tech support fraud, enabling direct theft from victims' bank accounts
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about remote access exploitation tech support scam
How does the remote access exploitation tech support scam work?+
Scammers establish trust by posing as tech support and identifying a fake problem on the victim's computer They instruct the victim to install legitimate remote access tools like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or UltraViewer With control of the computer, they access banking sites, transfer funds, install persistent backdoors, or steal sensitive files
What are the warning signs of remote access exploitation tech support scam?+
Technician asks you to download remote access software from a link they provide They ask you to log into your bank account while they have remote access Screen goes black or you are told not to touch the keyboard during the session
What should I do if I encounter remote access exploitation tech support scam?+
Never install remote access software at the request of someone who contacted you unsolicited If you already granted access, disconnect from the internet immediately and run a full malware scan Change all passwords from a different device and contact your bank to freeze suspicious transactions
Who is most at risk for remote access exploitation tech support scam?+
This scam primarily targets Older adults, Non-technical users, Small business owners. It is most commonly reported in Global and typically appears on Phone.
Is remote access exploitation tech support scam getting worse?+
remote access exploitation tech support scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Recent reports
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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.
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