Fake virus pop-ups
A full-screen warning, a loud alarm, or a message that will not close. We help you close it safely and check that nothing was installed.
Virus, Pop-up and Scam Clean-up Help
Saw a scary warning on your screen? Think a scammer got into your computer? Stay calm. Call us and we will check your computer with you, remove what should not be there, and help you lock your accounts down. Independent help anywhere in Canada and the United States.
Call (236) 258-3060 Email info@clearpinetech.ca
Monday – Friday, 8 am – 8 pm Pacific Time (Mountain 9 am – 9 pm, Central 10 am – 10 pm, Eastern 11 am – 11 pm, Atlantic 12 pm – 12 am). Closed Saturday and Sunday.
We never call, text or email you first. We never show pop-up warnings. We never ask for payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency. Remote sessions happen only with your permission, and you can end the session at any time.
Clearpine Technologies is an independent support provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorised service provider of Microsoft, Apple or any antivirus or other brand named on this page. Brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. For free manufacturer support, contact the manufacturer directly.
What we help with
Problems we check and clean up
Unwanted software and browser hijacks
A home page you did not choose, extra toolbars, ads everywhere, or a search that goes somewhere strange.
Remote-access software left by a scammer
If you let someone connect to your computer, we look for programs that could let them back in, and remove them.
Securing your accounts
Changing passwords, turning on two-factor sign-in, and checking email forwarding rules for your email, banking and shopping accounts.
Antivirus check-up
Checking that your security software is on and up to date, running a full scan, and removing what it finds.
Reporting what happened
We explain who to tell and how: your bank, and the fraud-reporting centre in your country.
Prefer a slower, more patient style of help? See help for seniors.
Do this first
If you think a scammer has been in your computer
- Stop talking to them. Hang up. Do not call the number on a pop-up, and do not call back.
- Disconnect from the internet. Turn off Wi-Fi or unplug the network cable. This cuts the connection.
- If you paid or shared card or bank details, call your bank or card company using the number on the back of your card. Ask them to stop or review the payment.
- Do not turn off the pop-up by clicking inside it. To close a stuck browser on Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, choose Task Manager, select the browser and choose End task. On a Mac press Option + Command + Esc, choose the browser and click Force Quit.
- Change your passwords from a different device, such as a phone you trust, starting with email and banking.
- Report it. In Canada, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca, 1-888-495-8501). In the USA, ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Then call us and we will check the computer with you. Being scammed can happen to anyone, and there is no need to feel embarrassed.
Price
$100 CAD flat for a one-time remote session. No charge if we can't fix the problem remotely.
Prices are in Canadian dollars; your card company converts the amount to US dollars at its exchange rate.
Our number is in British Columbia, Canada. Calls from the US are dialed like any US number; check with your phone provider about long-distance charges.
The fee covers up to two remote sessions for the same problem.
What remote support can and cannot do
Being honest about limits
- We can check for and remove unwanted software, browser hijacks and remote-access programs, and help secure your accounts.
- We cannot get money back. Your bank or card company is the place to start.
- We cannot promise that every possible threat is found. If a computer cannot be made trustworthy, we will say so and may suggest backing up your files and resetting it.
- We cannot recover a drive that has physically failed. A data recovery lab is needed.
- If we cannot fix it remotely, you are not charged.
Questions
Virus and scam questions
A pop-up says my computer has a virus and gives a phone number. Is it real?
No. Real security software and real companies do not put a phone number in a browser warning. Do not call it. Close the browser (on Windows press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, open Task Manager and end the browser; on a Mac press Option + Command + Esc and Force Quit). If it comes back, call us and we will check the computer.
I let someone connect to my computer. What should I do?
Turn off the internet connection or unplug the network cable, then call us. We can check for remote-access software, remove it and help you change passwords. If you paid or shared bank details, call your bank or card company right away and report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (Canada) or ReportFraud.ftc.gov (USA).
Can you get my money back?
No. We cannot recover money. Your bank or card company is the right place to start, and you should also report the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
How much does it cost?
A one-time remote session is a flat $100 CAD, for customers in Canada and the United States. If we cannot fix the problem remotely, you are not charged.
Is it safe to let you connect to my computer?
A remote session only starts when you agree to it, and you can watch everything on your screen. You can end the session at any time. We never call, text or email you first. To learn what a scam call looks like, see how to spot a tech-support scam.
How we keep you safe
Our promises
We never call, text or email you first. We never show pop-up warnings. We never ask for payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency. Remote sessions happen only with your permission, and you can end the session at any time.
How we connect: with Quick Assist (built into Windows) on a Windows computer, or LogMeIn on a Mac. You start it, you see everything we do, and you can end it at any time.
Payment and sessions: we accept all major credit and debit cards. The $100 CAD fee covers up to two remote sessions for the same problem.
Support hours
Monday – Friday, 8 am – 8 pm Pacific Time (Mountain 9 am – 9 pm, Central 10 am – 10 pm, Eastern 11 am – 11 pm, Atlantic 12 pm – 12 am). Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Worried about a virus or scam? Call (236) 258-3060
$100 CAD flat for a remote session, anywhere in Canada and the United States. Only with your permission.
Monday – Friday, 8 am – 8 pm Pacific Time. Prices are in Canadian dollars; your card company converts the amount to US dollars at its exchange rate.
We never call, text or email you first. We never show pop-up warnings. We never ask for payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency. Remote sessions happen only with your permission, and you can end the session at any time.
Clearpine Technologies is an independent support provider and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorised service provider of Microsoft, Apple or any antivirus or other brand named on this page. Brand names are trademarks of their respective owners. For free manufacturer support, contact the manufacturer directly.