The Device Lockout Scam

Flggd Scam School · Tech Support & Device Takeover · Lesson 7 of 12

The screen froze, a siren is playing, and a message says your computer has been locked. If you're searching computer locked popup call number from your phone right now, breathe; your computer is fine.

The message looks like this

Why this is a scam

Nothing is locked. This is a webpage stuck in full-screen mode, pretending to be your operating system. The "deleted files" threat exists to stop you from doing the one thing that beats it: restarting.

No real security system locks your computer and offers a phone number to fix it. Not Windows, not Apple, not your antivirus, not your internet provider. A phone number on a lock screen means one thing; a scammer wants you to call.

If you call, the script is the usual one: remote access, invented problems, and a payment or a trip into your bank account.

Red flags checklist

• A "locked" screen that includes a phone number to call.

• Threats that restarting will delete your files.

• Sirens, alarms, or a robotic voice reading the warning aloud.

• Mentions of your IP address to sound official.

• It appeared while browsing, not after anything you installed.

The manipulation tactic

Captivity plus fear. When your screen stops obeying you, the phone number feels like the only exit. It's the trapdoor, not the exit.

What to do, and what not to do

• Don't call. Nothing about that number is "security".

• Press Esc or F11 to exit full screen; then close the browser.

• If it won't close, restart your computer. Your files will be fine.

• After restarting, don't restore the old browser tabs if asked.

• Run a scan with your own antivirus for peace of mind.

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