Pop-Up Scams

It’s safe to assume that we have all experienced a pop-up. Some are harmless, like discount codes or special offers for online stores, but some are malicious attacks to retrieve your personal information. So, how can you spot the difference between a legitimate pop-up and a fake one?

Fake pop-ups try to mimic those of reputable organizations like Microsoft, Amazon, UPS, Apple, Amazon, Facebook, etc. The message could range from fake security warnings to subscription renewals. Stay informed with what legitimate notifications look like and be cautious of random pop-ups from unfamiliar sources.

If the pop-up requests that you call a provided number, open a new browser, and research the number. A reputable company will have an online presence and all phone numbers listed. If there is no trace of the number being tied to the company the pop-up is claiming to be from, it’s likely a scam.

The pop-up may prompt you to click a button or link to get “rid” of the issue. Do not click anywhere within the notification field! The entire contents, including the minimize and close buttons, are unsafe and even clicking the close or ‘x’ button could put you and your information at risk. Instead, close the browser using Task Manager. In Windows, press “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” to open the Task Manager, find the browser process under the “Processes” tab, and click on “End Task.” Here’s a resource from the Federal Trade Commission on, “How to Recognize, Remove, and Avoid Malware.”

Scammers are also using fake security warnings like, “ransomware detected” to scare you into clicking on their trap. These are produced by adware or malware programs already installed on your computer, which could have been downloaded by clicking on a malicious advertisement, link, or attachment. It’s in our nature to trust these types of pop-ups because we think it’s unlikely that malware is already on our devices, and we’ll do whatever is necessary to protect our information.

Staying informed on the different tactics scammers are using is the best way to protect yourself from fraud. Give yourself a pat on the back from us for doing a good job!