RingMyTech Scam Awareness Center

How to read a suspicious moment

Three signals show up together more often than any single gadget clue: surprise contact, urgency, and an unusual payment or access request. A real bank, a real software company, and a real government office can wait while you hang up and call a number you look up yourself.

• They contacted you, and you were not already waiting on them.
• Something terrible happens if you do not act right now.
• They want a gift card, wire, cryptocurrency, or remote control of the computer.
• They tell you not to talk with family.

Tech support scams

A pop-up, email, or phone call says the computer is infected and a technician must connect now. The FTC has warned that legitimate tech companies do not call or email you out of the blue about a virus, and they do not ask for payment by gift card. Close the page. Do not call the number printed on it. Use the seven checks before anyone remotely accesses the computer.

Grandparent and family-emergency scams

A caller or text pretends to be a grandchild, or a lawyer or officer calling for them, and needs money immediately. Voice messages can now sound like the real person. Hang up and call the family member on the number already saved in your phone. Agree on a family question that a stranger would not know, and do not publish that question.

Romance scams

A new online relationship moves quickly to secrecy and to a request for money, gift cards, or an investment. The FTC's standing advice is that people you have not met in person who ask for money are not acting in your interest. Stop sending money and tell someone you trust. Shame keeps these going. A calm second opinion ends them sooner.

Government impersonation

Callers pretend to be the IRS, law enforcement, or another agency and threaten arrest. Government offices do not demand gift cards. If you are unsure, hang up and use a phone number from the agency's own website, not from the caller.

Bank impersonation

Caller ID can be faked. A text can copy a bank's logo. Call the number on the back of your card or on a statement you already have. Do not use the callback number in the unexpected text.

Gift card scams

Gift cards are a favorite way to move money that is hard to recover. A government agency, utility, tech company, or grandchild-in-trouble story that requires gift cards is a scam. If you already bought the cards and still have them, contact the card company immediately and then report what happened.

Package delivery scams

A text says a package cannot be delivered and offers a link to "update your address" or pay a small fee. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns people about messages that impersonate the Postal Service. Track a real package by typing the carrier's website yourself.

Medicare scams

Unexpected callers offer "free" medical equipment or new cards and ask for a Medicare number. Medicare has public guidance for reporting fraud and abuse. Do not give the number to an unexpected caller. RingMyTech does not provide medical or insurance advice. We can sit with you while you find the official page.

Social Security scams

The Social Security Administration warns that it will not threaten you, demand payment by gift card or wire, or suspend your Social Security number as a phone surprise. Use the SSA scam page linked below, and call SSA using a number you look up.

Cryptocurrency and investment scams

Guaranteed returns, celebrity endorsements, and a coach who moves the conversation off a known website are warning signs. The FBI IC3 accepts internet-crime reports, including investment fraud. Do not send a second payment to a "recovery agent" who contacts you after a loss.

AI voice impersonation

A short voice clip from social media can be copied. Treat a surprising voice message the way you treat a surprising caller: hang up and call back on a saved number. A shared family question helps when the voice is convincing.

Password-reset phishing

An email or text says your password is about to expire and includes a link. Go to the service by typing the address yourself. If you did not request a reset, do not use the link. If you already entered a password there, change it from a device and a page you trust, and turn on two-factor authentication. Steps are in the technology help guide.

Fake antivirus warnings

Loud pop-ups, flashing warnings, and a phone number inside the browser are a script, not a diagnosis. Close the browser. Do not download the "cleaner." Do not grant remote access. If the computer is truly misbehaving afterward, call someone you chose, not the number on the pop-up.