Scammers don’t take summer vacations—and lately, they’ve gotten sneakier.

Every July and August, we see a spike in fake tech support alerts, refund scams, and urgent pop-ups. Whether you’re managing a small business or just checking email at home, you could be a target. Here’s what you need to know.

🚨 What These Scams Look Like

Scammers use pop-ups, emails, or phone calls to convince you something is wrong with your computer or account. Common tactics include:

• Fake pop-ups claiming “Your device is infected — call Microsoft now!”
• Emails saying your “Norton subscription auto-renewed” for $399
• Emails with PayPal receipts showing a renewal receipt for purchases you didn't make
• Calls pretending to be from Amazon, saying there’s a suspicious charge or refund

These scams pressure you to click links or call a number, where someone will try to get remote access to your system—or worse, your bank account.

🔍 Red Flags to Watch For

If you see or hear any of the following, stop and think before clicking:

✅ Pop-ups that freeze your browser and display a phone number

✅ Emails with strange grammar, logos, or formatting

✅ Messages that use panic words like “URGENT,” “FINAL WARNING,” or “ACT NOW”

✅ Someone asking you to install software like “AnyDesk” or “TeamViewer”

🛑 What Not To Do

• Don’t call the number in the alert
• Don’t let anyone you don’t know access your computer 
• Don’t click suspicious links, even if they look like they came from Microsoft, Amazon, or Norton

✅ What To Do Instead

• Force-quit your browser if you see a scam pop-up (Mac: ⌘+Q, Windows: Alt+F4)
• Take a screenshot if you’re unsure and reach out for help
• Report scam emails to your email provider (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)

👋 Need Help?

If you ever feel unsure, just click the PCRescue tray app or use the Website

We’re here before the scammers are.