Help · Remote access scams
Nobody real needs to take over your screen.
How fake tech support and “bank security team” calls work, and what to do if it’s happening to you or someone you love.
On a call right now?
Hang up, turn off Wi‑Fi, then call your bank on the number on your card.
That’s all you need to do this minute. The rest of this page can wait.
A friendly voice, a problem, and an app to install
Someone says they’re from Microsoft, Apple, your internet provider or your bank’s fraud team, or a pop up says your computer is infected and gives a number to call. There’s a virus or a suspicious payment, and it has to be fixed today. The pressure is the point: it stops you from pausing to check.
Then they walk you through installing AnyDesk or TeamViewer, or opening Quick Assist. These are real tools, and in the wrong hands they let a stranger see and control your computer. Often they ask you to log in to your bank “for a refund”, show you that you got far too much, and ask you to send the difference back. The money you saw was moved between your own accounts, or the page was edited. The money you send is real.
Any one of these is reason to stop
- Someone you didn’t contact calls, texts or pops up on your screen saying there’s a problem with your computer or your bank account.
- They ask you to install or open an app like AnyDesk, TeamViewer, Quick Assist or Screen Sharing so they can “fix it” or “secure your account”.
- They want you to stay on the phone, keep it secret, or not talk to anyone at your bank branch.
- They say you were refunded too much and need to send the difference back.
- They ask for gift cards, a wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash moved to a “protected” account.
- Your screen goes black or shows “please wait” while they’re connected. Behind it, they’re in your accounts.
Your bank, Microsoft and Apple won’t call you out of the blue and ask to control your computer. Ever.
If it’s happening
- Hang up. You don’t need to explain or be polite. A real bank or company will understand.
- Disconnect from the internet. Turn off Wi‑Fi or unplug the cable. This cuts off their connection to your computer straight away.
- Close the remote access app. Quit AnyDesk, TeamViewer or Quick Assist. If you can’t, restart the computer.
- Call your bank on the number on your card. Not a number they gave you, and not one from a text or email. Tell the bank what happened so they can watch for or stop payments.
Feeling embarrassed is normal. These people do this all day and they’re good at it. Getting help quickly matters much more than how it happened.
Once you’ve hung up
- Change your passwords from another device. Use a phone or a different computer. Start with your email, then your bank, then anything else they might have seen.
- Check your accounts. Look for payments, transfers or new payees you don’t recognize, and keep checking for a few weeks.
- Remove the app. Uninstall the remote access app if you don’t use it yourself. If you’re unsure what else they changed, ask someone you trust or a local repair shop to look.
- Report it. It helps stop the same people calling someone else, and your bank may ask for a report number.
Where to report
A quiet question at the right moment
When a remote access app like AnyDesk, TeamViewer or Quick Assist is downloaded, installed or opened for the first time, Fompi notices and asks one thing: “Did someone ask you to install this?”
If you don’t know the person, you can quit the app right there. If you use it on purpose, for work or to help family, choose I Trust This and Fompi won’t ask about that app again. It never blocks tools you chose to use.