Support scam guide

Tech support scam

Tech support scams use pop-ups, calls, fake antivirus warnings, and impersonated support agents. They may demand gift cards, remote access, subscriptions, or banking details.

Risk signal

Device panic

Severity

high

Group

Support

Common identifiers

Add identifiers that can be matched safely across reports, profiles, payments, and evidence without exposing unnecessary private data.

01

Phone number

Use the exact phone number shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.

02

Pop-up URL

Use the exact pop-up url shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.

03

Remote session

Use the exact remote session shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.

04

Payment receipt

Use the exact payment receipt shown by the scammer so CheckKaroo can link repeat signals and avoid weak matches.

Evidence to preserve

Keep proof in original form where possible. Screenshots help, but transaction IDs, URLs, timestamps, and chat context make moderation stronger.

01

Warning screen

Capture warning screen with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.

02

Support number

Capture support number with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.

03

Installed app

Capture installed app with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.

04

Payment proof

Capture payment proof with date, time, sender, URL, or transaction context visible where possible.

First response

These steps reduce further loss and keep your report useful for review, banking escalation, platform reporting, and official complaints.

01

Close fake pop-ups

Do this early: close fake pop-ups helps reduce repeat contact, preserve proof, and keep escalation options open.

02

Disconnect remote access

Do this early: disconnect remote access helps reduce repeat contact, preserve proof, and keep escalation options open.

03

Run trusted security checks

Do this early: run trusted security checks helps reduce repeat contact, preserve proof, and keep escalation options open.

Urgent money loss

If money was recently transferred, call 1930 first and raise a bank or payment-app dispute. Speed matters for fund-freeze attempts.

Privacy boundary

Do not upload OTPs, passwords, full card numbers, full Aadhaar, private documents, or unrelated intimate media. Use masked, relevant evidence whenever possible.