A fake support scam is fraud that impersonates technical help to pressure victims into calling a number, paying for a “fix,” or granting remote access. The scam often appears as a warning pop-up, blocked browser page, or urgent message claiming the device is infected or locked. The goal is not to repair anything; it is to create fear and urgency so the victim acts before checking the claim.
In cyber security, these scams matter because they rely on social engineering rather than malware alone. Attackers may use browser-based scareware, aggressive pop-ups, or spoofed help lines to make the situation feel official. Once contact is made, scammers can ask for payment, collect personal data, install remote-access tools, or push additional fraud. Defenses include verifying support numbers through trusted sources, closing suspicious pages without calling them, limiting browser pop-up abuse, and training users to treat unsolicited “technical support” as suspicious.