That Pop-Up Is Lying to You: Tech Support Scams and What We Learned This Month
You are reading the news when a pop-up takes over your screen. Sirens. Red letters. A warning that your computer has been compromised and you must call a number immediately to stop the damage.
Close the browser. That message is the scam.
In 2024, older Americans reported $159 million in losses to tech support scams. Adults over 60 were five times more likely to lose money this way than younger users. The reason is not technical skill; it is that scammers count on hesitation. A scary pop-up creates a window of panic, and they have a script ready for the moment you call.
May has been National Elder Law Month, and this year’s theme, Protecting Rights, Fighting Scams, has given us a reason to look closely at the most common ways scammers target older adults. We are closing the month with tech support scams, then sharing a few takeaways from the campaign.
How tech support scams work
- A pop-up window claims your computer has a virus and tells you to call a number.
- The “agent” says they are from Apple, Microsoft, Norton, McAfee, or a similar company.
- They ask for remote access to your computer to “fix” the problem.
- They request personal or financial information to “verify” your account.
- They claim your security software has expired and offer to install a “new” version (which is actually malware).
- They warn that delaying will cost you all your data.
What to do instead
- Do not call the number. Real tech companies do not display urgent phone numbers in pop-ups.
- Close the browser. If the pop-up will not close, restart your computer.
- Do not give remote access to anyone who contacted you first.
- Keep your antivirus and operating system up to date.
- Save important files in a second location, like an external drive or secure cloud account, and make sure a trusted family member knows how to access them.
What we learned this month
Across five weeks, we covered the most reported categories of scams targeting older adults:
- Government impersonation, especially Social Security calls
- Other impostor scams, including the “grandchild in trouble” call
- Investment fraud, which causes the largest losses
- Romance scams, which exploit isolation and trust
- Tech support scams, which weaponize fear and confusion
Across every category, the same patterns appear. Urgency. Secrecy. A demand for unusual payment methods. A push to act before you can think.
The most reliable defense is not a single piece of advice. It is a small group of trusted people who know your situation and can be reached quickly. Family, a financial advisor, an elder law attorney, a social worker. The more people on that list, the harder it is for a scammer to find a moment alone with you.
How Everbright Legacy Law can help
Our team is built around this idea. Everbright Legacy Law is the only Minnesota law firm integrating licensed social workers with legal services. Our Life Care Planning approach pairs legal documents (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives) with practical, ongoing support for the day-to-day decisions that come with aging, caregiving, and family change.
Where to turn for help, all year round
- National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11
- AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360
- Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC): 1-844-880-1574
- Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center: IC3.gov
Already worried that someone in your family has been pulled into a scheme? Call us at (952) 925-4147 or email hello@everbrightlegacy.com. The sooner the conversation starts, the more options remain.
