Printable Card: If a Pop-Up Says Your Computer Has a Virus
A free one-page card to print and keep next to your computer. The steps to take when a scary warning appears, and the numbers to call.
The short answer
Print this page and keep it next to your computer. It lists what to do when a pop-up claims your computer is infected, and who to call if you already called the scammers.
If a warning says your computer has a virus
Real Microsoft and Apple warnings never show a phone number. If there’s a number, it’s a scam.
Do NOT
- Do not call the number.
- Do not click anything inside the warning.
- Do not let anyone connect to your computer.
Do this instead
- Press Esc.
- Hold Alt and press F4 to close the browser. (Mac: hold Command, press Q.)
- If it won’t close, hold Ctrl and Shift, press Esc, click your browser in the list, click End task.
- If nothing works, hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn the computer off.
- When the browser reopens, do not restore the old pages.
If you already called them
- Hang up.
- Unplug the internet cable or turn off Wi-Fi.
- Call your bank using the number on the back of your card.
- Ask someone you trust for help. Change your passwords from a different device.
Numbers to keep
- My bank:
- Person I trust:
- National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311), Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Eastern
- Report the scam: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Free help from us (WhatsApp): +1 (814) 323-6883 — we never call you first
Remember: no real company will ever ask you to pay with gift cards.