Scam Help

If it’s happening right now

1. Hang up, or close the pop-up. If the pop-up won’t close, turn the computer off by holding the power button.
2. Disconnect from the internet. Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi.
3. Don’t pay anything. No gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps.
4. If you gave out bank or card details, call your bank now using the number on the back of your card.
5. Then get help. Request a visit and check the scam box, or contact me directly (my contact info is at the bottom of this page).

Red flags

• A pop-up says your computer is infected and gives you a number to call.
• Someone calls saying they’re from Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, your bank, or your internet company and says there’s a problem.
• They want to “connect to your computer” to fix it.
• They ask you to pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer.
• They rush you, or tell you not to talk to anyone else about it.

Real companies don’t call you about viruses, and they never ask for gift cards.

If you think you’ve been scammed

• Call your bank or card company to stop payments and watch your accounts.
• Change your email password first, then your bank and shopping passwords, from a different, clean device if you can.
• Have the computer checked. Scammers often leave remote-access programs behind so they can come back. A virus and scam cleanup removes them.
• Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI at ic3.gov.

It’s not your fault. These scams are made by professionals to fool smart people. The important thing is to act quickly.

My promise

I will never call you first, never show a pop-up, and never ask for gift cards. If anyone says they’re from Beige Box and does any of those things, it’s not me.