Avoiding fake pop-ups and tech support scams 

Your screen flashes red, a loud alert sounds, and bold text warns you that your mobile is infected. Or a phone number appears, urging you to call technical support immediately. 

For most people, that’s enough to cause real panic. And that’s exactly what scammers are counting on. These aren’t attacks on your device. They’re attempts to manipulate your decisions. What scammers really want is access to your passwords, credit card details, and financial accounts. 

Most of these warnings are fake, and recognizing a few simple signs can help you avoid them. 

The trick behind tech support scams 

Tech support scams succeed because they create a sense of urgency. Each element is added to push you into acting before you think. 

Most victims are not careless. They are people trying to do the right thing for their family or finances. Scammers design every detail of the pop-up to look like a legitimate security alert from a brand you already trust, whether that’s Microsoft, Apple, or your antivirus software. 

In 2024 alone, older adults reported losses of $159 million to tech support scams. These scams rely on fear. Once you feel threatened, scammers position themselves as the solution, walking you through steps that hand over remote access to your device or financial accounts. 

Four signs the pop-up you’re seeing is fake 

Fake pop-ups are built to look convincing, but they all share the same tells. Here are the signs worth knowing. 

• It’s designed to scare you into acting fast: Legitimate security alerts inform you. Scam pop-ups pressure you.  Phrases like “Your device has been compromised” or “Immediate action required” are designed to trigger panic. Some pop-ups use countdown timers or alarm sounds to intensify the fear. A genuine security notification gives you time to respond. It never demands action within seconds. 
• It tells you to call a phone number: No legitimate company provides emergency support through browser pop-ups. Official apps or account portals are their only communication channels, never a number on your screen. The person on the other end of that call is a scammer. Their goal is to talk you into giving them remote access to your device or your payment details under the guise of fixing a problem that never existed. 
• It claims to have scanned your device: A website cannot scan your device for viruses. That is not how browsers work. When a pop-up tells you it has detected 47 threats or that your files are at risk, it is displaying a number someone typed into a script. The scan result is fabricated. It exists to make the threat feel specific and credible so you feel compelled to act on it. 
• It won’t let you close the window: A pop-up that traps you in the browser is not a security alert. It is a pressure tactic. Some fake pop-ups disable your ability to close the tab, loop the same alarm sound, or reopen the moment you try to exit. This is designed to make you feel like the only way out is to call the number or click the link on screen. Restarting your browser or your device breaks the loop without any risk to you. 

What to do when a suspicious pop-up appears 

Seeing a fake pop-up does not mean your device is infected. It means someone is trying to scare you into making a mistake. Here’s what you should do: 

• Do not click any link inside the pop-up. 

• Do not call the phone number on the screen. 

• Close the browser tab or force-quit the browser entirely. 

• Restart your device if the pop-up persists. 

• Run a scan using your trusted security software. 

If you are unsure whether a warning is genuine, go directly to the company’s official website and contact them through their verified support channel. 

Five steps to stay one step ahead 

Most tech support scams are avoidable with a few habits in place. 

1. Keep your browser and operating system up to date. Security patches close the vulnerabilities scammers exploit. 

2. Install an ad blocker. Many fake pop-ups reach you through malicious ads on legitimate websites. 

3. Talk to your family about these scams. Older adults and younger children are the most frequent targets. 

4. Report suspicious pop-ups to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Your report helps protect others from the same scam. 

5. Ask MERENA when you are not sure. MERENA is your free personal cyber advisor, available to help you recognize scams, understand threats, and make confident decisions online. 

Your calm response is your best defense 

Scammers want you to react before you think. That single moment of panic is what makes these scams work. 

The next time a pop-up demands your immediate attention, remember that pausing is the right move. A real security threat will still be there after you take a breath. A scam depends on you not doing that.