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Should I call the phone number in a virus pop-up?

Short answer

What to do right now

Do not call the phone number in an unexpected virus or security pop-up. Do not give the caller remote access; use the device maker’s known support route or another service you independently choose.

Immediate actions

Leave the pop-up’s contact route.

  1. Do not call the displayed number, click its link, or follow its payment instructions.

  2. Do not install remote-access software or share your screen because the pop-up tells you to.

  3. Use the device maker’s known support route or a support service you independently choose.

  4. If you already allowed access, use the remote-access recovery page now.

Do not

Avoid making the situation harder.

  • Do not let the pop-up choose the technician, software, or payment route.
  • Do not return to the pop-up to collect more details.

Records and reporting

Keep the details you already have.

If you can do so without reopening the warning, note what it claimed, the displayed number, and whether you clicked, installed, paid, or shared anything.

If something else happened too

Source notes

Official guidance behind these steps

Plainly Living uses the scope and exceptions recorded in its claim-control ledger. These links go to the responsible public agency.