Question:

How can I prevent or remove the “your computer has been locked up” scam that claims to be from Microsoft?

I encountered this scam on both my Apple and Windows computers. It displayed a fake warning message and a phone number (833-324-0303) to call for assistance. When I called the number, the person on the other end pretended to be from Microsoft and refused to provide any website or credentials. I was able to get rid of the scam by restarting my computers, but I am worried that it might happen again or cause some damage to my system. What can I do to protect myself from this kind of fraud?

Answer:

The “your computer has been locked up” scam is a common type of tech support scam that tries to trick you into believing that your computer has a serious problem and that you need to call a fake support number for help. The scam may display a pop-up window, a web page, or a lock screen that looks like an official warning from Microsoft or another reputable company. The scam may also play a loud audio message or use a voice synthesizer to urge you to call the number.

If you call the number, the person on the other end will claim to be from Microsoft or another trusted organization and ask you to give them remote access to your computer, pay them a fee, or provide them with your personal or financial information. They may also try to install malware or unwanted software on your computer, or make changes to your settings that could harm your system or compromise your security.

This scam can affect both Windows and Apple computers, as well as other devices such as smartphones and tablets. The scam may use different phone numbers, names, logos, or messages to appear more convincing or to target different regions or languages.

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to prevent or remove this scam from your computer and to protect yourself from falling victim to this fraud.

How to prevent the scam

The best way to prevent the scam is to avoid clicking on suspicious links, opening unexpected attachments, or downloading untrusted software from the internet. These are some of the common ways that the scam may infect your computer or redirect you to a fake website.

You should also keep your operating system, browser, and antivirus software updated and use a reputable firewall and pop-up blocker. These can help you detect and block malicious or unwanted programs or websites that may try to run or display the scam on your computer.

You should also be aware of the signs of a tech support scam and never trust any unsolicited calls, emails, or messages that claim to be from Microsoft or another company and ask you to call a number or click a link for help. Microsoft and other legitimate companies will never contact you in this way or ask you to pay them or give them your information or access to your computer.

How to remove the scam

If you encounter the scam on your computer, do not panic and do not call the number or follow any instructions on the screen. Instead, try to close the window or tab that is displaying the scam, or force quit the browser or application that is running the scam. You can also try to restart your computer or device to get rid of the scam.

If the scam has locked your screen or disabled your keyboard or mouse, you may need to use a different device to look for a solution online or contact a trusted tech support service. You can also try to boot your computer or device in safe mode or recovery mode and perform a system restore or a factory reset. However, these options may erase some of your data or settings, so you should back up your important files before doing this.

After you have removed the scam from your computer or device, you should scan your system with a reliable antivirus or anti-malware software and remove any suspicious or unwanted programs or files that may have been installed or downloaded by the scam. You should also change your passwords and check your online accounts and bank statements for any unauthorized or fraudulent activity.

How to report the scam

If you have encountered the scam or have been a victim of the scam, you should report it to the appropriate authorities and organizations to help them stop the scammers and warn others about the scam.

You can report the scam to Microsoft by filling out this [online form](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/reportascam/) or by calling 1-877-696-7786. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the US by visiting [this website](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/) or by calling 1-877-382-4357. If you are outside the US, you can report the scam to your local consumer protection agency or law enforcement agency.

You can also report the scam to the company or organization whose name or logo was used by the scammers, such as Apple, Google, or Facebook. You can also report the scam to the website or service that you were using when you encountered the scam, such as your email provider, social media platform, or online store.

By reporting the scam, you can help prevent others from falling for the same scam and help the authorities and organizations track down and stop the scammers.

Conclusion

The “your computer has been locked up” scam is a common and dangerous type of tech support scam that tries to trick you into calling a fake number and paying or giving your information or access to your computer to the scammers. The scam can affect both Windows and Apple computers, as well as other devices. The scam may use different phone numbers, names, logos, or messages to appear more convincing or to target different regions or languages.

You can prevent the scam by avoiding clicking on suspicious links, opening unexpected attachments, or downloading untrusted software from the internet. You can also keep your operating system, browser, and antivirus software updated and use a reputable firewall and pop-up blocker. You should also be aware of the signs of a tech support scam and never trust any unsolicited calls, emails, or messages that claim to be from Microsoft or another company and ask you to call a number or click a link for help.

You can remove the scam by closing the window or tab that is displaying the scam, or force quitting the browser or application that is running the scam. You can also try to restart your computer or device to get rid of the scam. If the scam has locked your screen or disabled your keyboard or mouse, you may need to use a different device to look for a solution online or contact a trusted tech support service. You can also try to boot your computer or device in safe mode or recovery mode and perform a system restore or a factory reset. After you have removed the scam, you should scan your system with a reliable antivirus or anti-malware software and remove any suspicious or unwanted programs or files that may have been installed or downloaded by the scam. You should also change your passwords and check your online accounts and bank statements for any unauthorized or fraudulent activity.

You can report the scam to Microsoft, the FTC, your local consumer protection agency or law enforcement agency, the company or organization whose name or logo was used by the scammers, and the website or service that you were using when you encountered the scam.

By reporting the scam, you can help prevent others from falling for the same scam and help the authorities and organizations track down and stop the scammers.

The “your computer has been locked up” scam is a serious threat to your computer and your security, but you can protect yourself from it by following these steps and being vigilant and cautious online. Remember, if you ever receive a message or a call that claims to be from Microsoft or another company and tells you that your computer has a problem and that you need to call a number or click a link for help, do not do it and do not believe it. It is a scam.

I hope this article helps you understand and deal with the “your computer has been locked up” scam. If you have any questions or feedback, please let me know. 😊