Tech Buddies Blog

Every day, scammers get more creative — fake texts from your bank, phone calls pretending to be Microsoft, and emails that look legit but are actually traps. Whether you’re using a phone, tablet, or computer, scams can hit you where you least expect them.

At Tech Buddies, we work with people every week who’ve been tricked into giving away passwords, bank info, or access to their devices. Let’s help you avoid that. This post will walk you through the most common signs of a scam — so you can protect yourself, your family, and your devices.

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1. “Urgent Action Required” or “Account Locked” Language

If you get an email, text, or call that says:

“Your account will be shut down in 24 hours unless you act now!”
or
“There’s a problem with your payment method — update it immediately!”

That’s your first red flag. Scammers love using urgency to pressure you into clicking or calling without thinking. Real companies (like banks, Amazon, or PayPal) do not threaten you like this out of the blue.

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2. Calls from “Tech Support” or “Microsoft”

This is one of the most common scams we see.

You might get a call saying:

“We detected a virus on your computer. Let us help remove it.”

Then they ask you to install software so they can “fix it.” What they’re really doing? Taking control of your computer and possibly stealing files, passwords, or even your bank info.

Microsoft, Apple, and Google will never call you. Period.

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3. Weird Email Addresses That Don’t Match the Company

If you get an email from “Netflix” or “Amazon,” but the address is something like:

amazon-update123@randomdomain.biz

…it’s a scam.

Real companies use email addresses that match their name exactly:

support@amazon.com
amazonsupport@freetvprize.ru

Check the “From” field before clicking anything.

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4. Strange Logos, Spelling Errors, or Poor Grammar

Legitimate companies pay attention to details. Scam messages often:

• Use low-quality images

• Misspell words (“accunt,” “verfy,” etc.)

• Sound odd or robotic

If it feels off, trust your gut.

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5. Suspicious Links That Lead to Fake Websites

Scammers create look-alike websites to steal your login info.

For example:
You click a link that says www.paypaI.com (see the trick? That’s a capital “i,” not an “L”) and it opens a page that looks like PayPal.

Check the address bar of your browser. Make sure it matches exactly.
Look for the padlock symbol to know it’s secure.
Don’t log in if something seems off.

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6. Requests for Gift Cards, CashApp, or Zelle

If anyone — even someone claiming to be from a government agency, family member, or tech support — asks you to:

• Buy gift cards and send them the codes

• Pay with CashApp, Zelle, or Venmo “for security reasons”

• Wire money to fix a “problem”

…it’s a scam. No legitimate business operates like this.

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7. Romance or “Grandparent” Scams

These target your heart. Scammers:

• Pretend to be a grandchild in trouble

• Say they’re in love and need money to visit

• Claim they’re stranded overseas

Always call or FaceTime your loved one directly before sending money.

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8. “You’ve Won a Prize!” Pop-Ups or Emails

If you never entered a contest, you didn’t win one.

Don’t click banners that say:

“You’ve won a free iPhone!”
“Claim your $1,000 Walmart gift card!”

These usually lead to malware or attempts to steal your credit card.

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9. Texts From Unknown Numbers With Links

If you get a text that says:

“Hey, is this you in this photo? [link]”
or
“Your package couldn’t be delivered. Click here to reschedule [link]”

…don’t click. If you’re not sure, go to the company’s website or app directly.

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10. Gut Feeling That Something’s “Off”

Sometimes you can’t quite explain it — but something about a message, call, or website feels strange. Trust that instinct. Scams often rely on your hesitation or confusion.

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What to Do if You’re Not Sure Something Is Real

Here’s your quick checklist:

• Don’t click any links

• Don’t call numbers listed in suspicious messages

• Don’t reply or send money

• Call Tech Buddies. We’ll check it for you — free of charge

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How Tech Buddies Can Help

We’ve helped dozens of customers:

• Avoid falling for phishing emails

• Clean malware off infected computers

• Set up safe browsing tools and scam filters

• Lock down their privacy settings

If you’re ever unsure — we’re here. No pressure, no judgment. Just help.

Call or text us at 814-657-8709
Serving Pennsylvania and beyond with remote support

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Final Thought

Scammers are smart — but with a little knowledge, you’re smarter. Learning what to look for is the first step in protecting yourself and your family.

Stay safe. Stay smart. And when in doubt — call Tech Buddies.