Technology
Our close call with crafty scammer posing as Microsoft support
Microsoft support scams are probably the oldest type of online scam, and they remain just as dangerous as they were a decade ago, perhaps even more so now with scammers having access to better technology, AI tools and advanced hardware. We’ve reported on countless numbers of these scams, but “Bob” from Washington, D.C., forwarded a new one that we wanted to share with you. This particular scam uses Google search results to redirect you to scammers instead of Microsoft customer support.
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A woman encounters a Microsoft support scam (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How a Microsoft support scammer nearly stole $14,000
Bob mentioned in the email that he and his wife lost access to their Microsoft Exchange email service. They searched Google for Microsoft support and called a number they found, which connected them to a technician. They then gave him permission to access their computer.
“After a couple of hours of running ‘security’ scans he told us he had found that other IP addresses were trying to get into our system. Getting suspicious I asked him for his ID number and contact information for his supervisor. I called his ‘superior’ who asked me all the ‘right questions’ and confirmed the technician I was talking to was legit,” Bob wrote.
The technician then claimed to have frozen Bob’s account and told him that one of the suspicious IP addresses had attempted to withdraw money from their bank account.
When Bob asked if he should contact the bank about the issue, the technician told him, “Don’t do that. We want to set up a sting and catch them red-handed. We believe there’s an employee leaking customer information, and we don’t want you tipping them off.”
Bob added, “Now nationwide, I believe my bank probably has over 100,000 employees. What are the odds that I would be alerting the one crooked bank employee? Then he said give us permission to access your account. We will ‘borrow’ $14,000, and set up a sting in South Carolina where the police are already waiting to catch the crook.”
The technician, who by this point was clearly a scammer, also promised Bob a $500 reward. But when Bob asked about their original request to have the email account restored, the scammer replied that the IT team would handle that later. Realizing it was a scam, Bob and his wife ended the call.
A woman carrying a Microsoft laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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How did a Microsoft support number lead to a scammer?
Scammers often take advantage of search engines like Google by creating fake websites or ads that mimic legitimate Microsoft support pages. When users, like Bob, search for “Microsoft support” or “Microsoft customer service,” they may unknowingly click on one of these fraudulent links, which appear at the top of search results. These fake pages display phone numbers that look official but actually connect users to scammers posing as Microsoft technicians.
Once on the phone, the scammers use scare tactics, like claiming there’s suspicious activity on your account, to gain access to your computer and personal information. In Bob’s case, he called what he thought was a Microsoft support number, but it was really a scammer who tricked him into allowing access to his computer.
A woman working on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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5 ways to protect yourself from Microsoft support scams
Microsoft scams are getting more sophisticated every day, but you’re not defenseless. Here are some ways to protect yourself from Microsoft support scams:
1) Verify contact information: Always use official contact information from Microsoft’s official website. Microsoft does not offer support via unsolicited calls or pop-ups.
2) Be cautious with search results: Be wary of search engine results or ads that appear too good to be true. Use official websites and contact numbers to reach support.
3) Check for red flags: Scammers often use urgent language or threats to create a sense of panic. Be suspicious if you’re pressured to act quickly or if the person asks for remote access to your computer.
4) Invest in personal data removal services: Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods of obtaining personal information. They often scour the web for publicly available data, piecing together details from various sources to create targeted phishing attacks. These personalized scams can be alarmingly convincing, making it crucial to limit the amount of personal information accessible online. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.
5) Have strong antivirus software: If you have strong antivirus software installed on your device, it can protect you from visiting harmful websites on the internet that might be mimicking a company like Microsoft. Antivirus software also helps you avoid opening malicious attachments or links.
While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
HEARTLESS SCAMMERS ARE PREYING ON PEOPLE’S LOST PET ANGUISH
This Microsoft support scam is a reminder to double-check who you’re dealing with before sharing any personal info. Scammers are getting slicker, using fake support numbers that pop up in your search results to trick you into giving them access to your computer or bank details. To stay safe, stick to official contact info from Microsoft’s website, be skeptical of urgent or unexpected calls and keep an eye out for red flags.
Have you ever encountered a Microsoft support scam or any other similar scam? How did you handle it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
OpenAI announced yet another reorganization Friday, consolidating certain areas and making company president Greg Brockman the official lead of all things product.
In a memo viewed by The Verge, Brockman wrote that since OpenAI’s product strategy for this year is to go all-in on AI agents, the company is combining its products to “invest in a single agentic platform and to merge ChatGPT and Codex into one unified agentic experience for all.”
To do this, the company is making a suite of org chart changes, although it’s still operating under some of the same ones from last month. That’s when AGI boss Fidji Simo went on medical leave and OpenAI announced that Brockman would be in charge of product strategy and CSO Jason Kwon, CFO Sarah Friar, and CRO Denise Dresser would take control of business operations.
It’s all part of OpenAI’s recent strategic shift to focus on key revenue drivers like coding and enterprise and stop pouring resources into “side quests” ahead of its potential IPO later this year and amid investor pressure to turn a profit.
In Simo’s continued absence, Brockman’s role leading product strategy is now official, as well as the company’s “scaling” arm. Under Brockman will be four different pillars. The first is core product and platform, led by Thibault Sottiaux, who has been OpenAI’s engineering lead for Codex, and the second is critical enterprise industries, led by ChatGPT head Nick Turley. Third is the consumer pillar, such as health, commerce, and personal finance, which will be led by Ashley Alexander, who has been its healthcare products VP. The fourth pillar — core infrastructure, ads, data science, and growth — will be led by Vijaye Raji, who has been OpenAI’s CTO of applications.
Brockman wrote in the memo that OpenAI’s goal is now to “bring agents to ChatGPT scale, in order to give individuals and organizations significantly more value and utility from our products.”
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You’re going about your day when your phone buzzes. A text hits your phone. It looks official. It sounds urgent. And suddenly, you are being told you owe money for a traffic violation. That is exactly what Todd from Texas experienced. He emailed us and said:
“I received this text message today. It was so baffling because I haven’t lived in California for nearly a decade. I didn’t click on anything or respond. How can I tell if this is for real or if this is a scam?”
If you’ve gotten a message like this, you are not alone. This type of scam is spreading fast, and it is designed to pressure you into acting before you think. Let’s break down what is really going on.
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FAKE AGENT PHONE SCAMS ARE SPREADING FAST ACROSS THE US
This message may look official, but several red flags show it is likely a scam designed to pressure you into paying quickly. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What the traffic ticket scam text looks like
At first, the message seems convincing. It claims to be a “final reminder” from the California DMV, and it warns of penalties like license suspension and added fees. It even includes a link that appears somewhat official. However, once you slow down and take a closer look, the red flags quickly start to pile up.
The biggest red flags in this message
Here are the key warning signs to watch for in messages like this.
9 WAYS SCAMMERS CAN USE YOUR PHONE NUMBER TO TRY TO TRICK YOU
1) The phone number makes no sense
The message comes from a number with a +63 country code. That is the Philippines, not California. Government agencies in the U.S. do not send official legal notices from international numbers. That alone is a major warning sign.
2) No name, just “Dear Driver”
Legitimate notices from a DMV or court almost always include your full name or at least some identifying information. “Dear Driver” is vague on purpose. It allows scammers to send the same message to thousands of people.
3) The link isn’t a real DMV website
The message includes this link:
ca.mnvtl.life/dmv
That isn’t a government domain. Official DMV websites in California use “.ca.gov” or similar trusted domains. Scammers often create lookalike links to trick you into clicking.
4) Urgency and threats
The message pushes you to act quickly with a deadline. It lists consequences like license suspension and extra charges. Scammers rely on fear. When you feel rushed, you are more likely to click without thinking.
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5) Asking you to reply to proceed
The text says to reply with “Y” to get instructions. That is another trap. Responding confirms your number is active, which can lead to more scam messages.
6) Generic language and odd phrasing
Parts of the message feel slightly off. The tone is formal but not quite right. That subtle awkwardness is common in scam messages sent to large groups of people.
7) Overloaded threats designed to scare you
The message piles on consequences like license suspension, added fees, court action and even credit damage. In this case, it even mentions a license suspension and a $160 late payment charge. That combination is meant to overwhelm you and push you to act fast. Real agencies usually provide clear, specific notices, not a long list of escalating threats in a single text.
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Scam texts like this often arrive out of nowhere and try to create urgency before you have time to question them. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What this means for you
Even if you have never driven in California, you could still receive this message. Scammers cast a wide net and hope someone takes the bait. If you click the link, you could be taken to a fake payment page. That page may ask for your credit card details, personal information or login credentials. In some cases, it can also install malware on your device or redirect you to credential-stealing pages. This isn’t about a ticket. It is about getting your data. State DMVs typically do not send final legal notices or payment demands by text message.
Why these scams keep working
These messages work because they tap into something most people fear. Legal trouble, fines and losing driving privileges. They also look just real enough to pass a quick glance. That is all scammers need. As more services move online, these scams will continue to evolve.
Unlike typical DMV scams, this message impersonates a court and escalates the threats to make the situation feel more serious (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Ways to stay safe from traffic ticket text scams
Start with a simple rule. Never trust a payment request that shows up out of nowhere. Here are practical steps you can take:
1) Do not click the link
If you are unsure, do not tap anything in the message. That includes links and reply options.
2) Use strong antivirus software
If you accidentally click a link, strong antivirus software can help detect malware and protect your data. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
3) Verify directly with the DMV
Go to your state’s official DMV website by typing it yourself into your browser. Do not use the link in the text.
4) Check the sender carefully
Look at the phone number. International numbers or random strings are a clear warning sign.
5) Ignore generic greetings
Real notices will usually include your name or case details. Vague language is a red flag.
6) Consider a data removal service
Scammers often get your number from data broker sites. Removing your personal info from those databases with a data removal service can reduce these messages. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
7) Block and report the number
On your phone, block the sender and report it as spam. This helps reduce future attempts.
8) Turn on spam filtering
Enable spam filtering on your phone or through your carrier to catch more of these messages before they reach you.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Todd did the right thing. He paused, questioned the message and did not click. That one decision likely saved him from handing over personal information. When it comes to messages like this, skepticism is your best defense. If something feels off, trust that instinct.
Should phone carriers and tech companies be doing more to block scams like this before you ever see them? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Honda revealed prototypes of two new hybrid models, an Accord sedan and the Acura RDX SUV, during its annual business briefing this week, built on a platform that it says will begin launching next year. The RDX was announced earlier this year as Honda’s first SUV to feature the next-gen version of its two-motor hybrid system.
In March, Honda announced it would take a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) on its EV investments. Now Honda says its EV-related losses will be “resolved” by 2029, and that it will reevaluate its EV plans in 2030.
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