Norton & McAfee Scams

People buy software like Norton or McAfee to keep their laptops and other devices safe. But some scammers pretend to be customer service or tech support at these companies. Then they trick customers into sharing their sensitive data.

What is a Norton scam?

Norton is a popular brand of software that helps protect your digital devices — laptops, smartphones, tablets — against security threats. It guards against viruses, scams, and identity theft.
 
Customers trust Norton’s products such as Norton Antivirus, Norton 360, and Norton LifeLock. Cybercriminals take advantage of that trust.
 
They impersonate Norton, perhaps sending you a fake renewal notice for Norton LifeLock identity theft protection. Their goal is to trick you into contacting them, so they can get your credit card number or other sensitive information.

What is a McAfee scam?

McAfee is another brand of security software that protects users against viruses and scams.
 
As with Norton, cybercriminals pose as representatives of McAfee to build trust with consumers so they can access their personal data. The scammer might email you a fake receipt or use fake McAfee pop-up alerts, urging you to act. The goal is to get you to share your personal data so they can steal your money, for example, or your identity.

How to spot a Norton or McAfee scam

Being aware of Norton and McAfee scams can help protect you. Here are some common methods scammers use to connect with you:

• Invoice email or text. You receive an invoice from McAfee or Norton. It looks official, complete with the company’s logo. It may have an invoice number and a customer service number or link, but they’re fake. (In some cases, the invoice is an attached PDF.) When you call the number, a friendly agent (also fake) asks for your credit card number or requests remote access to your computer, so they can steal your personal data. If you click on a link, it might take you to an unsafe website. The scammer’s goal is to drain your account or install malware, software that could harm your computer.
• Renewal email. You receive an email saying that your Norton or McAfee subscription has been renewed. It includes an invoice number detailing the amount charged. The scammer may hope that you’ll call the fake customer service number and ask for a refund. When you do, a fake customer service rep requests your financial information or asks for remote access to your device so they can download harmful malware.
• Phone call from tech support. Someone claiming to be from McAfee or Norton calls to tell you there’s a problem with your computer, then offers to fix it. They may request remote access to your device so they can install software. Then they access your bank account and drain it. People tend to lose the most money — $1,500 on average — when talking to scammers on the phone.
• Pop-up warning. A pop-up message appears to alert you that a virus has infected your device. The pop-up directs you to call Norton or McAfee right away and provides a phone number. When you call, a fake agent tries to sell you anti-virus services and persuades you to share your banking information. They may also try to sell you other products such as a warranty or maintenance program.

 
To stay safe, look out for tell-tale signs of a scam.
 
Cybercriminals often use odd-looking emails. Check the sender’s email address. Compare it against the list of legitimate addresses used by McAfee and Norton. Also check the email or text for misspellings, grammatical errors, and an unprofessional design, which indicate the message is from a fraudster. Beware of generic greetings as well, such as “Dear Norton User.” If you’re a customer, companies usually address you by name.
 
Avoid clicking on any links within an email or text. Instead, go directly to the company’s site and log in. Also, don’t open any attachments within a suspicious email. They might ask you to enter your username or password, which could give scammers access to your linked accounts, such as your PayPal account. Attachments might also contain malware.
 
Don’t click on a pop-up or call a phone number shown in a pop-up. Real tech companies don’t ask you to respond to a pop-up. If you decide to contact McAfee or Norton, call the customer service number listed on their website rather than the number shown in the pop-up.
 
If someone from tech support calls you, it’s probably a scammer. Big tech companies don’t generally call you with alerts or offers of tech help. And if someone claiming to be from McAfee or Norton asks you to download software, make sure you know who they are. Again, reach out to the company directly to confirm that they contacted you.
 
If someone pressures you, take a breath. Scammers try to make you anxious — claiming that a virus has infected your laptop, for instance — so you’ll act quickly without thinking things over. Contact the software company directly to verify before taking any action.

Tech support scams on the rise

Americans lost more than $1.4 billion to tech support scams in 2024, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report.

What to do if you’re a victim

If you’ve been the victim of a McAfee or Norton scammer, take these steps to help set things right:

• Stop communicating with the scammer right away. Don’t keep them on the line to play Sherlock Holmes or try to convince them to return your money.
• Document what happened. Save any correspondence with the scammer, which may help the authorities.
• If you gave a scammer remote access to your device, run a malware and virus scan. Make sure to update your security software before running the scan.
• If you need technical help to solve the problem, use a trusted company. Many retail stores that sell computers also provide technical support.
• If you gave your password to a scammer, change your password. If you also use that same password for other accounts, change those passwords too. If you don’t have a password manager, consider getting one so changing your passwords will be easier in the future.
• If you paid a scammer with a debit or credit card, contact your financial institution to stop payment or reverse the charges.
• Report the incident to the company. Report fraud to Norton at spam@norton.com or to McAfee at scam@mcafee.com.
• File a fraud complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. If you lost money, the FTC will share steps for trying to recover it.