The FTC Just Cracked Down on Tech Support Scams. Here Is How to Spot Them

What the FTC found, and why it matters to you

The Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement with a global payment processor called Nuvei. The company will pay $4.85 million to settle charges that it processed payments for merchants it knew or should have known were running scams.

One of those scams was a tech support operation called Reimage. The FTC says Nuvei processed more than $30 million in consumer payments for Reimage between 2017 and 2023.

The $4.85 million will be used to provide consumer redress, meaning money paid back to people who were harmed. This is real enforcement, not a warning you have to pay for. Every step to check on it is free.

The scam pattern to watch for

The FTC complaint describes a few schemes these merchants ran. Knowing the pattern helps you spot the next one.

Tech support scams often start with a pop-up message on your computer or phone. It warns about a security or performance problem and tells you to call a number or pay for a fix. Real companies do not do this.

The FTC also named merchants that impersonated government tax authorities and merchants selling business opportunities with false earnings claims. September is a common time for tax scams, since estimated taxes are due and states announce relief checks. Scammers use that noise to sound official.

The red flags

A pop-up on your screen saying your device is infected and giving a phone number to call. Close it. Do not call.

Someone claiming to be from a tax agency demanding payment by gift card, wire, or unusual methods. Government agencies do not work that way.

Promises of guaranteed earnings from a business opportunity. If earnings are promised with no proof, walk away.

Pressure to act fast or pay right now. Real help does not rush you.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay to get money back from a scam settlement?

No. When the FTC returns money to victims through consumer redress, it is always free. Anyone who asks you to pay a fee to claim it is running another scam.

A pop-up says my computer has a virus and I need to call a number. Is it real?

Almost never. Real security software does not put a phone number on a scary pop-up. Close the window or restart your device, and do not call.

How do I know if a tax message is really from the government?

Government tax agencies do not demand payment by gift card, wire, or by calling a number in a pop-up. When in doubt, contact the agency directly using its official website, not a link or number someone sent you.

What should I do if I already paid a scammer?

Call your credit card company right away and ask about disputing the charge. Then report it for free at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.