Tech support scam
Also called tech support scams, fake tech support, remote access scam
A scam where a pop-up, call or message claims your computer or account has a problem and a "support agent" asks for access or payment.
Tech support scams turn the fear of a broken computer into money. A pop-up that won't close, a call about "suspicious activity", or an email about a subscription renewal leads to a friendly agent who needs remote access to "fix" it. Once connected, they can install malware or reach your banking while you watch.
The FBI recorded over 2 billion dollars in US losses to these scams in 2025.
AI now helps on the defending side. Chrome on a computer uses a small AI model running on the device itself to judge whether a page is behaving like a tech support scam, and warns you before you pick up the phone.
For example
A full-screen warning with a siren says your PC is infected and to call "Microsoft" on the number shown.
Put it to use
Where you'll meet tech support scam in ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude, how to use it there, and the mix-up most people make.
Daily Bytes Plus is in the Android app.