How to identify fake "Microsoft Account Locked" websites

What kind of scam is "Microsoft Account Locked"?

Our researchers discovered the "Microsoft Account Locked" technical support scam during a routine investigation of suspicious websites. It is disguised as an alert from Microsoft warning the visitor that their phone was blocked due to suspected illegal activity. The scam urges the user to call the fake helpline.

It must be emphasized that all these claims are false, and this high-risk scam is not associated with the Microsoft Corporation.

"Microsoft Account Locked" scam overview

This scam is disguised as a warning from Microsoft. It states that the website visitor's phone was locked due to detected illegal activity, specifically – due to money laundering activities. The bottom of the screen urges to call a number.

When the "Unlock now" button is clicked, it displays a different page with a pop-up. This window instructs to click anywhere on the screen to call "Emergency Assistance".

Once the scammers are called, everything is likely to progress as a technical support scam. It is most probable that the cyber criminals (while pretending to be "Microsoft-certified technicians", "support", etc.) will instruct the caller to allow them to access their device remotely.

Access is often established using genuine remote access programs (e.g., TeamViewer, UltraViewer, etc.). Scammers can cause various severe issues by tricking victims over the phone or after connecting to their devices.

Threats posed by tech support scammers

After establishing remote access to victims' devices, cyber criminals can remove security tools, install fake anti-viruses, obtain private data, extract funds, and cause malware infections (e.g., trojans, ransomware, cryptominers, etc.).

Targeted information may include: log-in credentials (e.g., emails, social media, online banking, digital wallets, etc.), personally identifiable data (e.g., ID card details, passport photos/scans, etc.), and finance-related information (e.g., credit/debit card numbers, etc.).

Tech support scammers usually request payment for their "services" (e.g., fake threat/issue removal, protection subscriptions, etc.). Funds can be obtained through difficult-to-trace methods, which lower the chances of successfully prosecuting the scammers and for victims to recover their money.

More information on technical support scams – how to recognize them, how they operate, and how they can impact victims – can be found in our dedicated article.

To summarize, by trusting a scam like "Microsoft Account Locked" – users can experience system infections, serious privacy issues, financial losses, and identity theft.

Should you find it impossible to close a scam webpage – end the browser's process using Task Manager. Remember to begin a new browsing session when relaunching the browser, as the previous one includes the deceptive page.

If you have allowed cyber criminals to remotely access your device – you must first disconnect it from the Internet. Secondly, uninstall the remote access program that the scammers used, as they might not need your consent to reconnect. Lastly, run a full system scan with an anti-virus and remove detected threats.

Threat Summary:

Name	"Microsoft Account Locked" tech support scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Visitor's phone was locked due to detected illegal activity.
Disguise	Microsoft
Tech Support Scammer Phone Number	18333982352
Related Domains	mshelp.netlify[.]app
Detection Names (mshelp.netlify[.]app)	N/A (VirusTotal)
Serving IP Address (mshelp.netlify[.]app)	34.234.106.80
Symptoms	Fake error messages, fake system warnings, pop-up errors, hoax computer scan.
Distribution methods	Compromised websites, rogue online pop-up ads, potentially unwanted applications.
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft, possible malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Technical support scam examples

"Windows Defender Security Scan", "We Are Having Trouble With Firewall", "(5) Virus/Malware infections have been detected", "Error Updating Software: #009292w099738H98", and "Microsoft Detected A Unusual Application In Your System" are just some of our newest articles on tech support scams.

The Internet is rife with scams that use varied lures and mechanisms, yet the end goal is the same – to generate revenue at victims' expense. Due to how prevalent scams are and how well-made they can be – we highly recommend being vigilant when browsing.

How did I open a scam website?

Online scams are most commonly endorsed via websites that use rogue advertising networks, intrusive ads (malvertising), spam (e.g., emails, PMs/DMs, SMSes, robocalls/ cold calls, browser notifications, social media/ forum posts, etc.), misspelled URLs (typosquatting), and adware.

How to avoid visiting scam websites?

Caution is crucial to online safety. Therefore, be wary of websites, adverts, and messages warning of severe threats or making promises that sound too good to be true. Do not visit sites offering pirated content or other dubious services (e.g., Torrenting, illegal streaming/downloading, etc.), as these webpages usually utilize rogue advertising networks.

Take note of URLs and enter them carefully. Approach incoming mail cautiously; do not open attachments or links found in suspect emails/messages. Do not permit questionable pages to deliver browser notifications; instead, ignore or block their notification requests.

Download only from official/verified sources and treat installations with care (e.g., study terms and options, use "Custom/Advanced" settings, and opt out of additional apps, extensions, etc.) – to prevent bundled/hazardous software (like adware) from infiltrating the system.

If your computer is already infected, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate all threats.

Text presented in the "Microsoft Account Locked" scam:

Microsoft

Running troubleshooters in Get Help

Account Locked
Your phone is locked due to detected illegal activity. Your account has been disabled because we have found money laundering activities on this device.

Unlock now

The Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant has been replaced with troubleshooters integrated into Get Help.

Get Help has troubleshooters you can run for many common scenarios. These often help resolve issues without the need to contact support. If a troubleshooter is available for your issue, select Start to run that troubleshooter.

Call 18333982352

Appearance of the "Microsoft Account Locked" pop-up scam (GIF):

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Quick menu:

• What is "Microsoft Account Locked" tech support scam?
• 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 Windows.

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 Windows) - 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a pop-up scam?

Pop-up scams are deceptive messages intended to trick users into performing certain actions. For example, victims can be lured into calling fake support lines, allowing cyber criminals to access devices remotely, making monetary transactions, disclosing sensitive information, downloading/installing programs, subscribing to services, and so on.

What is the purpose of a pop-up scam?

Pop-up scams are designed to generate revenue for scammers. They may profit by acquiring funds through deception, promoting content (e.g., websites, apps, extensions, products, services, etc.), abusing/selling private data, and proliferating malware.

Why do I encounter fake pop-ups?

Pop-up scams are mainly promoted through websites using rogue advertising networks, spam (e.g., emails, SMSes, robocalls/ cold calls, PMs/DMs, social media posts, browser notifications, etc.), typosquatting, malvertising, and adware.

I cannot exit a scam page, how do I close it?

If you cannot exit a deceptive webpage – end the browser's process using Task Manager. Do not restore the previous browsing session when relaunching the browser since it includes the scam page.

I have allowed cyber criminals to remotely access my computer, what should I do?

If you have permitted scammers to access your device remotely – you must disconnect it from the Internet. Afterward, uninstall the remote access programs that the criminals used, as they might not need your permission to reconnect. Lastly, perform a full system scan and immediately eliminate detected threats.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by a pop-up scam, what should I do?

If you have provided your log-in credentials – immediately change the passwords of all potentially compromised accounts and inform their official support. However, if you've disclosed personally identifiable or finance-related data (e.g., ID card details, passport scans, credit card numbers, etc.) – contact the appropriate authorities without delay.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from pop-up scams and the malware they proliferate?

Combo Cleaner is designed to eliminate all kinds of threats. It can scan visited websites for deceptive/malicious content and restrict further access to them. Combo Cleaner can also detect and remove practically all known malware infections. Remember that performing a complete system scan is paramount since high-end malicious software usually hides deep within systems.

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