What to Do After Falling for a Tech-Support Scam
It happens to careful people too. If you gave someone remote access to your computer or paid a fake tech support caller, here's what to do right now to limit the damage.
Tech-support scams are sophisticated, and they catch people who are otherwise very careful online. If you've been targeted, the most important thing to know is: you are not alone, and there are clear steps you can take right now.
Immediate Steps — Do These First
If you gave them remote access to your computer
- Disconnect from the internet immediately. Unplug your Ethernet cable or turn off Wi-Fi. This stops them from continuing to access your machine.
- Turn off the computer if you're not sure the remote session has ended.
- Run a full Windows Security scan once you've disconnected. Go to Virus & threat protection > Scan options > Full scan.
- Change your passwords — especially email and banking — from a different, trusted device (your phone is fine).
- Check your computer for any remote access software they may have installed (such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or ScreenConnect) and uninstall it via Settings > Apps.
If you paid them
- Contact your bank or card provider immediately and explain you were the victim of a scam. Ask them to reverse the charge. Many banks have dedicated scam teams and can often recover the money, especially if you act quickly.
- If you paid by gift card (a major red flag of scams), contact the gift card issuer. Recovery is harder but sometimes possible.
- If you paid by bank transfer, tell your bank right away — they can sometimes halt or reverse the payment.
Report the Scam
Reporting helps authorities track and shut down these operations:
- USA: Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Canada: Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
- UK: Report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk
Secure Your Accounts
After changing passwords, turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for your email, bank, and any other important accounts. This means a stolen password alone can't get a scammer back in. See our guide on setting up 2FA for step-by-step help.
If you're not sure whether your computer is now safe, ask us — we're happy to walk you through it at no cost.
Frequently asked questions
I gave them access but didn't pay. Do I still need to worry?
Yes — remote access alone is cause for concern. Scammers can install software, steal saved passwords from your browser, or view files even without payment. Run a full offline scan with Windows Security, check your installed apps for remote access tools, and change your important passwords from another device just to be safe.
Will my bank refund the money?
It depends on how you paid and how quickly you act. Credit card payments often have the best chance of reversal — contact your provider as soon as possible. Debit card payments and bank transfers are harder but still worth trying immediately. In the US, UK and Canada, banks have dedicated scam reporting lines and are increasingly required to try to recover funds lost to fraud.
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