Yes. One very common type of scam is the “Your computer is locked” scam, often called a tech support scam.
Scammers try to convince you that your computer has a virus, has been hacked, or has been locked by a company such as Microsoft or Apple. They may display alarming pop-up messages, play warning sounds, or show a phone number and instruct you to call immediately.
Common signs of this scam include:
- A pop-up claiming your computer is infected or locked.
- A message telling you not to shut down or restart your computer.
- A phone number to call for “technical support.”
- Requests for remote access to your computer.
- Demands for payment to unlock or repair the device.
If you see a message like this:
- Do not call the number shown.
- Do not provide payment information.
- Close the browser tab or restart the computer if necessary.
- Run a scan with reputable security software.
- If you gave the scammers access or payment information, change your passwords and contact your bank or card provider.
A legitimate company such as Microsoft will not lock your computer and display a random phone number asking you to pay for support.
If you tell me the exact message you’re seeing, I can help determine whether it’s a scam.
