Call Immediately Toll-Free POP-UP Scam (Mac)

What is Call Immediately Toll-Free?

"Call Immediately Toll-Free" is another fake error message delivered by a deceptive website. It shares similarities with "AppleCare Protection Plan", "Mac iOS Security At Risk Error Code: HT201155", "MAC OS Is Infected With Spyware", and many others.

Visitors arrive at these sites inadvertently - they are redirected by potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) or intrusive advertisements displayed on rogue websites. Unwanted applications typically infiltrate systems without consent and, as well as causing redirects, deliver intrusive advertisements and record user-system information.

The deceptive websites display the "Call Immediately Toll-Free" message and play an audio track stating that the system is infected with malware that must be eliminated immediately. Users are encouraged to contact Apple 'tech support' via a telephone number ("+1-800-218-2308") provided. This is a scam and Apple has nothing to do with it.

No browser is capable of detecting malware on computers. Criminals attempt to trick users into paying for services (tech support) that are not needed. Therefore, ignore messages such as "Call Immediately Toll-Free" and never attempt to contact these people. These errors can be removed simply by closing the browser.

In some cases, however, rogue sites employ scripts that disable closing of browsing tabs/windows. In these cases, the browser should be terminated using Activity Monitor or simply reboot the system. After re-running the browser, do not restore the previous session, otherwise the malicious websites are reopened.

Potentially unwanted applications are notorious for display of intrusive advertisements. Coupons, banners, pop-ups, and others are delivered using tools that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, they often conceal underlying content, thereby significantly diminishing the browsing experience.

Furthermore, these ads might lead to malicious websites and run scripts that download and install malware. Therefore, even a single accidental click can result in high-risk computer infections. Unwanted applications are also likely to gather information relating to browsing activity.

IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, geo-locations, and other collected data often includes personal details that developers share with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who generate revenue by misusing private information.

This data tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Therefore, the presence of information-tracking applications might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. Potentially unwanted applications should be uninstalled immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Call Immediately Toll-Free" virus
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
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As mentioned, there are many fake errors such as "Call Immediately Toll-Free". All claim that the system is damaged (e.g., infected, missing files, and  so on), however, these claims are simply attempts to extort money from gullible users. Potentially unwanted applications all share many similarities.

By offering 'useful features', they attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, their only purpose is to generate revenue for the developers. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, PUAs pose a direct threat to your privacy and web browsing safety.

How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?

Some PUAs have official download websites, however, developers proliferate them using intrusive advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Therefore, these unwanted apps often infiltrate systems without users’ permission.

Developers hide unwanted apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes - they do not disclose this information properly. Furthermore, many users often click various advertisements and skip download/installation steps.

This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUAs. In this way, users expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent system infiltration by PUAs, be very cautious when downloading/installing software and browsing the Internet. Select "Custom/Advanced" settings, opt-out of additionally-included programs, and decline offers to download/install them. Avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since developers monetize them by promoting rogue apps.

Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. Bear in mind that intrusive ads typically seem legitimate, since developers invest time and resources into their design. In fact, they often redirect to pornography, gambling, adult dating, and other untrustworthy websites.

If you experience these redirects, remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate them.

Text presented in "Call Immediately Toll-Free" pop-up:

Official Apple Tech Support
Call immediately
Toll-free
+1-800-218-2308
We’re here to help

The appearance of "Call Immediately Toll-Free" pop-up (GIF):

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Quick menu:

• What is "Call Immediately Toll-Free" virus?
• How to identify a pop-up scam?
• How do pop-up scams work?
• How to remove fake pop-ups?
• How to prevent fake pop-ups?
• What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

How to identify a pop-up scam?

Pop-up windows with various fake messages are a common type of lures cybercriminals use. They collect sensitive personal data, trick Internet users into calling fake tech support numbers, subscribe to useless online services, invest in shady cryptocurrency schemes, etc.

While in the majority of cases these pop-ups don't infect users' devices with malware, they can cause direct monetary loss or could result in identity theft.

Cybercriminals strive to create their rogue pop-up windows to look trustworthy, however, scams typically have the following characteristics:

• Spelling mistakes and non-professional images - Closely inspect the information displayed in a pop-up. Spelling mistakes and unprofessional images could be a sign of a scam.
• Sense of urgency - Countdown timer with a couple of minutes on it, asking you to enter your personal information or subscribe to some online service.
• Statements that you won something - If you haven't participated in a lottery, online competition, etc., and you see a pop-up window stating that you won.
• Computer or mobile device scan - A pop-up window that scans your device and informs of detected issues - is undoubtedly a scam; webpages cannot perform such actions.
• Exclusivity - Pop-up windows stating that only you are given secret access to a financial scheme that can quickly make you rich.

Example of a pop-up scam:

How do pop-up scams work?

Cybercriminals and deceptive marketers usually use various advertising networks, search engine poisoning techniques, and shady websites to generate traffic to their pop-ups. Users land on their online lures after clicking on fake download buttons, using a torrent website, or simply clicking on an Internet search engine result.

Based on users' location and device information, they are presented with a scam pop-up. Lures presented in such pop-ups range from get-rich-quick schemes to fake virus scans.

How to remove fake pop-ups?

In most cases, pop-up scams do not infect users' devices with malware. If you encountered a scam pop-up, simply closing it should be enough. In some cases scam, pop-ups may be hard to close; in such cases - close your Internet browser and restart it.

In extremely rare cases, you might need to reset your Internet browser. For this, use our instructions explaining how to reset Internet browser settings.

How to prevent fake pop-ups?

To prevent seeing pop-up scams, you should visit only reputable websites. Torrent, Crack, free online movie streaming, YouTube video download, and other websites of similar reputation commonly redirect Internet users to pop-up scams.

To minimize the risk of encountering pop-up scams, you should keep your Internet browsers up-to-date and use reputable anti-malware application. For this purpose, we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS.

What to do if you fell for a pop-up scam?

This depends on the type of scam that you fell for. Most commonly, pop-up scams try to trick users into sending money, giving away personal information, or giving access to one's device.

• If you sent money to scammers: You should contact your financial institution and explain that you were scammed. If informed promptly, there's a chance to get your money back.
• If you gave away your personal information: You should change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication in all online services that you use. Visit Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.
• If you let scammers connect to your device: You should scan your computer with reputable anti-malware (we recommend Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS) - cyber criminals could have planted trojans, keyloggers, and other malware, don't use your computer until removing possible threats.
• Help other Internet users: report Internet scams to Federal Trade Commission.

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