Your Computer Says “Call This Number.” What Should You Do?

You might be reading the news, looking up a recipe, or checking your email. Then a warning takes over the screen.

It might make a loud noise. It might say your computer is infected. And somewhere in the message is a telephone number you’re told to call immediately.

I’d start with this: take your hands off the keyboard for a moment. You don’t have to do what that message says.

The message is trying to hurry you

A familiar logo and an urgent voice can make a webpage look official. Neither tells you whether the warning is real.

Scammers use these warnings to get people on the phone, then ask for payment or access to the computer. The FTC says genuine security pop-ups do not ask you to call a telephone number. Read the FTC’s explanation.

Choose your own route to help

Don’t call the displayed number, install a program it recommends, or share passwords or sign-in codes. If someone is already on the phone pressuring you, end the call.

Avoid the buttons inside the suspicious message—even a button labeled “Close” may belong to the webpage. If you’re unsure how to leave it, stop there and ask for help. You don’t need to try unfamiliar controls while you’re worried.

Use contact details you already trust. Be careful with support numbers in search advertisements, too; scammers can place those. FTC guidance on tech support scams.

What if you already called?

Start with what happened next. There’s no need to feel embarrassed or to sort it all out at once.

If you allowed access to the computer: ask a trusted technician to check the device and any remote-access software. The FTC recommends updating security software and running a scan.

If you shared a password: change it, including anywhere you reused it, and turn on two-factor authentication. If someone may still have access to the computer, use another trusted device to secure your accounts.

If you paid or shared payment details: contact your bank, card issuer, or payment provider promptly. Ask about securing the account and reversing the payment. Getting money back is not guaranteed.

The FTC has recovery instructions for these situations. Keep receipts and relevant messages, and report the incident at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

A small preparation can help

Write down a trusted contact and keep it near your computer. A family member, a knowledgeable friend, or your regular technology support provider can give you a familiar place to start.

You can also practice what to do with an unfamiliar screen during a calm support session. One useful action, repeated a few times, is often a better starting point than a long list to memorize.

You can ask for help in your own words

“There’s a message on my screen, and I’m not sure about it” is enough to begin.

If you’d like someone to review it with you, call CyberGuardia at (301) 300-1716 or request help online. We can take it one step at a time.