--- title: "Microsoft scam calls and emails: how to spot them" url: https://tapsafely.com/scams/microsoft-scam-calls-and-emails source: TapSafely description: "Is that Microsoft message real? The warning signs, Microsoft's real websites, how to check safely and where to report a fake." --- [Home](https://tapsafely.com/)/[Scam guides](https://tapsafely.com/scams/)/[Brand scams](https://tapsafely.com/scams/brands)/ Microsoft # Microsoft scam calls and emails: how to spot them Scammers copy Microsoft because millions of people use it. Here's how to tell a fake Microsoft message from a real one, and what to do if you already clicked. By the TapSafely editorial team · Updated 16 September 2026 ## In short Microsoft says it does not make unsolicited calls or send unsolicited emails asking for personal or financial information, and its real error messages never include a phone number. It also says it will never ask you to pay for support with cryptocurrency or gift cards. **Most common fake:** Unexpected calls from fake Microsoft technicians who want remote access to your computer. **Safest check:** Treat any pop-up or error message that shows a phone number as a scam, genuine Microsoft errors never include one. Example · fake Microsoft message · Illustrative, links disabled WINDOWS SECURITY ALERT: Your PC is infected and your banking data is at risk. Do not restart your computer. Contact Microsoft Support now at ms-security-helpdesk[.]support/fix An example fake Microsoft message with the warning signs highlighted. ## What Microsoft says Microsoft says it does not make unsolicited calls or send unsolicited emails asking for personal or financial information, and its real error messages never include a phone number. It also says it will never ask you to pay for support with cryptocurrency or gift cards. Source: [Microsoft](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/protect-yourself-from-tech-support-scams-2ebf91bd-f94c-2a8a-e541-f5c800d18435) ## Common fake Microsoft messages - Unexpected calls from fake Microsoft technicians who want remote access to your computer - Browser pop-ups or fake blue screen errors telling you to call a support number - Emails urging you to click, call or open an attachment immediately - Links to look alike addresses with small misspellings of microsoft.com - Requests to pay for support with gift cards or cryptocurrency ## Microsoft's real web addresses Genuine Microsoft links and emails use these domains. Look at the part just before the first single slash: **microsoft.com** is real, but **microsoft-support-center.com** or **microsoft.com.account-check.top** are not. - **microsoft.com** - **accountprotection.microsoft.com** Scammers can also hide a fake link behind real-looking text. [Learn how to read a web address](https://tapsafely.com/scams/phishing-links). ## How to check a Microsoft message safely 1. Treat any pop-up or error message that shows a phone number as a scam, genuine Microsoft errors never include one 2. Microsoft account emails from an address ending in @accountprotection.microsoft.com are genuine, and you can check the message headers to confirm 3. Hover over links without clicking to see the real web address 4. Get help only through Microsoft's official support website rather than numbers in pop-ups, calls or emails ## How to report a fake Microsoft message - Report tech support scams to Microsoft at www.microsoft.com/reportascam. [Official details on support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/protect-yourself-from-tech-support-scams-2ebf91bd-f94c-2a8a-e541-f5c800d18435) - In Outlook, select the message and choose Report, then Report phishing. From other email apps, send the phishing email as an attachment to phish@office365.microsoft.com. [Official details on support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/protect-yourself-from-phishing-0c7ea947-ba98-3bd9-7184-430e1f860a44) - Report a suspicious website with Microsoft's report unsafe site tool at microsoft.com/wdsi/support/report-unsafe-site. [Official details on support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/protect-yourself-from-phishing-0c7ea947-ba98-3bd9-7184-430e1f860a44) Also report it to the official fraud service in your country. [See the worldwide list](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed#where-to-report). ## If you clicked, paid or shared details ### Act quickly. It makes a difference. 1. If you entered card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card, and ask them to block the card. 2. If you entered a password, change it on the real Microsoft website or app and turn on two-step verification. 3. Expect follow-up calls or messages pretending to help. Never share one-time codes or move money to a "safe account". 4. Report the scam, then delete the message. More help: [Tech support and remote-access scams](https://tapsafely.com/scams/tech-support-scams) and [what to do after a scam](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed). ## Questions people ask Does Microsoft send messages asking for payment or personal details? Microsoft says it does not make unsolicited calls or send unsolicited emails asking for personal or financial information, and its real error messages never include a phone number. It also says it will never ask you to pay for support with cryptocurrency or gift cards. How can I check if a Microsoft message is real? Treat any pop-up or error message that shows a phone number as a scam, genuine Microsoft errors never include one. Microsoft account emails from an address ending in @accountprotection.microsoft.com are genuine, and you can check the message headers to confirm. Hover over links without clicking to see the real web address. Get help only through Microsoft's official support website rather than numbers in pop-ups, calls or emails. How do I report a fake Microsoft message? Report tech support scams to Microsoft at www.microsoft.com/reportascam. In Outlook, select the message and choose Report, then Report phishing. From other email apps, send the phishing email as an attachment to phish@office365.microsoft.com. Report a suspicious website with Microsoft's report unsafe site tool at microsoft.com/wdsi/support/report-unsafe-site. I clicked a link in a fake Microsoft message. What should I do? Don't enter anything else. If you typed card or bank details, call your bank now using the number on your card. If you entered a password, change it on the real website and turn on two-step verification. Then report the message and delete it. ## Official sources and further reading We check our pages against official advice from the organisations themselves and from government agencies. - [Protect yourself from tech support scams](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/protect-yourself-from-tech-support-scams-2ebf91bd-f94c-2a8a-e541-f5c800d18435) (Microsoft) - [Protect yourself from phishing](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/protect-yourself-from-phishing-0c7ea947-ba98-3bd9-7184-430e1f860a44) (Microsoft) - [Can I trust email from the Microsoft account team?](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/can-i-trust-email-from-the-microsoft-account-team-685fd302-f52f-1a9f-cc13-065dec46fe25) (Microsoft) ### Got a message like this? Paste the message or link Check it free ### Still unsure? Describe what happened and our AI assistant will help, in any language. Ask TapSafely ### Seen this scam? Your report helps warn people in your area. [Report it](https://tapsafely.com/report) ### Free check tools - [Link checker](https://tapsafely.com/link-checker) - [QR code checker](https://tapsafely.com/qr-code-checker) - [Screenshot checker](https://tapsafely.com/screenshot-scam-checker) - [Scam glossary](https://tapsafely.com/scam-glossary) ## Related [Guide ### Tech support and remote-access scams Pop-ups saying your computer is infected, or calls from "Microsoft". 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