Tech Support Scam Victim? Gave Remote Access to a Scammer?
Here Is What to Do Next.
The FBI's IC3 logged 53,369 tech support fraud complaints with losses exceeding $1.9 billion in a single year. If you gave remote access to someone posing as Microsoft, Apple, or your ISP, your computer and accounts may be compromised. Act now.
Key Takeaways
- Disconnect from the internet immediately. Unplug your ethernet cable and turn off Wi-Fi.
- Uninstall any remote access software the scammer used (AnyDesk, TeamViewer, UltraViewer, LogMeIn).
- Change all passwords from a clean device. Do not reuse your compromised computer for this step.
- Check bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges. Contact your bank to freeze accounts if financial info was shared.
- Victims over 60 account for 58% of tech support scam losses. This is not about intelligence; these scams are sophisticated social engineering.
Two Paths Forward: Choose What You Need
I Need Professional Recovery
Certified cybersecurity experts perform deep forensic scans, remove all malware and backdoors, recover compromised accounts, and guide you through fraud reporting. 24+ years of experience.
Call 919-348-4912I Want to Handle This Myself
Access Petronella Technology Group's Training Academy for step-by-step scam recovery guides, malware removal walkthroughs, and security hardening checklists built for non-technical users.
Go to Training Academy5 Steps to Take After a Tech Support Scam
Disconnect from the Internet and Shut Down Remote Access Tools
Unplug your ethernet cable. Turn off Wi-Fi on the compromised device. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc on Windows) or Activity Monitor on Mac and force-quit AnyDesk, TeamViewer, UltraViewer, or any screen-sharing application the scammer used. This immediately severs their connection.
Change All Passwords from a Different Clean Device
Use your phone or another computer you trust. Start with email, then banking, then cloud storage. If you were logged into any accounts during the remote session, the scammer could have captured those credentials. Enable multi-factor authentication on every account that supports it.
Run a Full Malware Scan with Reputable Antivirus
Use a known, legitimate antivirus product. Avoid downloading antivirus software while connected to the internet on the compromised machine. Instead, download it on a clean device and transfer it via USB. Run a full system scan, not a quick scan. Be aware that consumer antivirus catches roughly 60-70% of threats; enterprise-grade EDR tools are needed for complete assurance.
Contact Your Bank to Freeze Cards and Dispute Charges
If you shared credit card numbers, authorized any payments, or were logged into online banking during the session, call your bank immediately. Request a temporary freeze on affected accounts. File a dispute for unauthorized charges within 60 days. Place a fraud alert with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Report to the FTC and FBI IC3
File a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov and submit a complaint to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. These reports help law enforcement track scam operations and may aid in recovering funds. If you lost money, also contact your local police department to file a report for insurance purposes.
Professional Recovery vs. Doing It Yourself
Self-recovery works for simple cases. But tech support scammers frequently install hidden backdoors that survive basic cleanup. Here is how Petronella Technology Group's professional recovery compares.
| Capability | Petronella Technology Group Professional Recovery | Self-Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Malware detection thoroughness | Enterprise EDR, 95%+ detection | Consumer AV, 60-70% detection |
| Hidden backdoor detection | Registry, scheduled tasks, services | Rarely detected without tools |
| Identity theft monitoring setup | Full credit bureau alerts + guidance | Manual, often incomplete |
| Legal evidence preservation | Chain-of-custody forensics | Evidence often destroyed |
| Account recovery speed | Same-day triage, systematic | Days to weeks, trial and error |
The Scale of Tech Support Scams
Tech support fraud is one of the fastest-growing cybercrime categories in the United States. These numbers from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center show why taking recovery seriously matters.
How Petronella Technology Group Recovers Scam Victims
Deep Forensic Malware Scan
We use enterprise-grade endpoint detection and response tools to find rootkits, fileless malware, registry modifications, and scheduled tasks that consumer antivirus products miss. Every persistence mechanism gets identified and removed.
Remote Access Software Elimination
Scammers install multiple remote access tools, not just the one they showed you. We audit all installed applications, browser extensions, and startup programs to ensure no hidden access points remain on your system.
Account Recovery and Hardening
We walk you through resetting every compromised account, setting up multi-factor authentication, and reviewing connected apps and authorized devices. If the scammer changed any account recovery settings, we identify and reverse those changes.
Financial Fraud Reporting Assistance
We help you file reports with the FTC, FBI IC3, your bank, and credit bureaus. Proper documentation increases the likelihood of recovering stolen funds. We also preserve forensic evidence in case law enforcement needs it for investigation.
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Scammers Move Fast. You Should Too.
The longer malware and backdoors remain on your system, the more data is at risk. Petronella Technology Group's certified cybersecurity team can begin remote triage the same day you call. Do not wait until the damage gets worse.