Imagine this: You Google “Apple Support,” click on the top result, and land on Apple’s official website. Everything looks normal — the address bar says apple.com. But then you see a message that says, “Call Us Now at 1-805-749-2108 for Help.”
That number isn’t Apple. It’s a scammer, and they’re hoping you won’t notice before you dial.
A new type of tech support scam is making the rounds, and it’s more convincing than ever. Even if you’re doing the right thing — like checking that you’re on the real website — it might not be enough.
Let’s break it down, explain how it works, and show how PC Matic Scam Blocker can help protect you from these sneaky attacks.
What’s the Scam?
Scammers are using Google ads to trick people. Here’s how it works:
- They buy Google ads for popular search terms like “Microsoft Support,” “Netflix Help,” or “Apple Customer Service.”
- When someone clicks on the ad, it actually leads to the real site — like apple.com or paypal.com.
- BUT — and here’s the trick — the scammers sneak in a hidden message using part of the web link (called a URL parameter). That message might say something like:
Call Us Now at 1-805-749-2108 - The site displays the message because some help pages are designed to show whatever you type in.
So, even though you’re on the right website, you’re seeing a message created by scammers.
Why This is Dangerous
A lot of people trust what they see on trusted websites. If the address bar says microsoft.com, why would you think anything’s wrong?
That’s exactly what the scammers are counting on.
Once you call the fake number:
- A scammer answers pretending to be from Apple, Microsoft, or your bank.
- They might try to trick you into giving personal info, credit card numbers, or access to your computer.
- Some even try to steal money from your online accounts.
People who are elderly, visually impaired, rushed, or not tech-savvy are especially at risk.
How PC Matic Scam Blocker Protects You
Here’s where PC Matic Scam Blocker comes in.
PC Matic Scam Blocker is a browser extension you can install on Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. It works by analyzing the websites you visit — even real ones — and looks for dangerous keywords like:
- “call us”
- “contact support”
- “phone help”
- “talk to an agent”
If it sees these terms followed by a phone number that doesn’t match an official one, Scam Blocker will alert you or block the scam message entirely.
Think of it like a second set of eyes. Even if you’re on apple.com or paypal.com, it checks for suspicious patterns in the link or page text — like sneaky fake numbers embedded by scammers.
This way, you’re protected from fake help messages on real websites.
Tips to Stay Safe
Even with PC Matic Scam Blocker, it’s always smart to:
- Avoid clicking on ads for tech support or banking help. Use the official site’s main homepage instead.
- Double-check phone numbers by searching on a trusted site (like the company’s contact page).
- Never give out personal information or remote access unless you’re absolutely sure it’s legit.
- Use a browser security tool like PC Matic Scam Blocker to catch these scams in real time.
Final Thoughts
Scams are getting smarter. They’re not just sending sketchy emails anymore — they’re hijacking real websites to fool you.
But with tools like PC Matic Scam Blocker, you don’t have to fight back alone. You can browse with more confidence knowing that scam phone numbers, even when hidden in tricky ways, are being watched for and blocked.
So the next time you’re online looking for tech support, don’t just trust your eyes — trust your tools.
