Virus, pop-up and scam clean-up

A scary message on your screen doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. It happens to careful people all the time.

What I clean up

I’ll find out what’s real and what’s a trick, clean up what needs cleaning, and explain what happened in plain English.

Fake virus warnings and pop-ups that won’t go away
Viruses and unwanted programs
Checking your computer after a scammer has been on it
Telling you whether a call, email or message is real

I come to you across Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties. Remote help, anywhere.

At your house, dropped off with me, or remotely over the internet if that’s easier.

Price agreed on the phone first

If it’s on your screen right now

Don’t call the number on the screen. That number goes to the scammer.
Don’t type in any passwords or card numbers, and don’t let anyone connect to your computer.
Close the web browser. If it won’t close, hold down the computer’s power button until it shuts off.
Call me on the number on this page, and I’ll tell you what’s real.

If you already called or paid

Please don’t feel foolish. These scams are built by professionals to frighten people. What matters now is moving quickly:

Stop talking to them. Hang up, and don’t answer if they call back.
Turn off the computer if they connected to it, and leave it off until it’s been checked.
Call your bank or card company using the number on the back of your card. Tell them it was a scam. If you bought gift cards, call the company on the card and keep the receipts.
Change your passwords, starting with email and banking, from a phone or another computer.
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Then call me, and I’ll check the computer for anything they left behind.

Questions people ask

Is that Microsoft warning real?

Almost certainly not. Microsoft says its real error and warning messages never include a phone number to call. If a message tells you to call a number, treat it as a scam.

Would you ever call me about a virus?

No. I won’t call you out of the blue about a virus on your computer, and I’ll never put a message on your screen. If someone says they’re me and you’re not sure, hang up and call the number on this page.

Can you fix it without coming over?

Often, yes, as long as the computer still turns on and gets online. If a scammer has been connected to it, tell me that first, and we’ll decide together whether it’s better that I look at it in person.

Call or text me(248) 632-8261

HELLO my name is

Rob

The person who answers the phone does the work.