The Most Common Tech & Website Scams (and How to Spot Them Instantly)
Let’s clear something up right away:
If someone calls, emails, or texts you claiming to be Google, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon (or any major tech company) and says there’s a “glitch,” “flag,” “violation,” or “urgent problem” with your website or account…
…it is almost certainly a scam.
I’ve had multiple clients receive these calls lately, and they all follow the same script. The goal is always the same: scare you just enough that you hand over access, money, or sensitive information before you have time to think.
This article will walk you through:
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The most common impersonation scams
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How they work
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Red flags to watch for
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Exactly what to do (and not do)
No tech jargon. No panic. Just clarity.
The Big Four: Most Common Impersonation Scams
These scammers usually pretend to be companies you already trust.
1. “Google Called About Your Website”
What they claim:
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Your website has a “glitch”
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Your site was “flagged”
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There’s a violation of Google policies
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Your Google listing or search visibility is at risk
Why it sounds convincing:
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Everyone depends on Google
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“Flagged” sounds official and serious
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They may know your business name or website URL
The truth:
Google does not cold-call businesses.
Ever. For website issues. For SEO issues. For “glitches.” For anything like this.
Google communicates through:
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Your Google account dashboard
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Official emails from verified Google domains
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Google Search Console notifications
2. “Microsoft Detected a Security Issue”
What they claim:
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Your computer is sending error signals
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There’s malware on your device
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Your system is compromised
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They need remote access to fix it
The truth:
Microsoft does not monitor individual computers and does not make unsolicited calls.
Once scammers gain remote access, they can:
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Install actual malware
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Steal saved passwords
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Lock your files and demand ransom
If anyone asks for remote access unexpectedly, hang up.
3. “Apple Support Needs to Verify Your Account”
What they claim:
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Suspicious activity on your account
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Your Apple ID will be locked
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A purchase needs urgent confirmation
The truth:
Apple communicates through:
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Account notifications you initiate
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Emails asking you to log in manually (never links demanding immediate action)
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In-app messages when you contact support
Real account issues are handled after you initiate contact or appear inside your account, not through fear-based outreach.
4. “Amazon Needs Payment Confirmation”
What they claim:
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A suspicious order was placed
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Your account is on hold
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A refund is pending
The truth:
Amazon does not request sensitive information by phone, text, or random email.
If there’s an issue, you’ll see it after logging into your account directly, never because someone pressured you to act immediately.
The Email Version of This Scam (Very Common)
Not all scammers call. Many reach out privately via email, and these can be just convincing enough to cause trouble.
You’ve probably seen messages like:
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“I found several errors on your website”
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“Your site has SEO issues hurting your rankings”
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“Your website is slow and not optimized”
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“I can fix your site for a small fee”
They often:
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Sound polite and professional
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Mention vague “issues” without specifics
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Avoid naming exact tools or reports
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Push for quick action or a “limited-time” fix
Here’s the key thing to know:
If someone genuinely found a serious problem with your website, they would include clear details, not mystery, urgency, or pressure.
These emails are mass-sent. Your site wasn’t reviewed carefully. You were just next on a list.
At best, you’ll get low-quality, generic work.
At worst, you hand over access to someone who should never have it.
Other Common Variations You’ll See
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“Your domain is about to expire” (when it isn’t)
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“Your email is sending spam” (with a fake fix)
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“Your website violates GDPR/ADA rules” (often paired with legal threats)
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Fake invoices for services you never ordered
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SEO “guarantees” that promise page-one rankings instantly
Different scripts, same goal: panic first, thinking later.
Universal Red Flags (Memorize These)
If any of the following happen, stop immediately:
🚩 Urgency (“Act now or your account will be shut down”)
🚩 Pressure to stay on the call or reply quickly
🚩 Requests for passwords or verification codes
🚩 Requests for remote access
🚩 Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto
🚩 Generic greetings (“Dear website owner”)
🚩 Caller ID or email spoofing that looks official but isn’t
Legitimate companies don’t operate this way.
What To Do If You Get One of These Calls or Emails
Do this:
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Stop engaging.
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Do not click links or download anything.
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Do not reply “just to see.”
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Log into your account directly (not through their link).
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If unsure, ask your web professional (hi 👋).
Do NOT:
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Engage “just to see”
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Give them time to explain
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Let them scare you into action
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Feel embarrassed: these scams are sophisticated by design
If You Have a Web Person, This Is Your Shortcut
If you work with a web designer, developer, or SEO professional, this is exactly the moment to use them.
Instead of trying to decode whether a message is real:
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Forward it to your web person
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Ask, “Does this look legitimate?”
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Let someone who deals with this daily confirm (or dismiss) it quickly
A good web professional would much rather answer a quick question than help clean up a mess later. This is part of protecting your business.
If you don’t currently have a web person, this is also a strong sign it might be time to have one, even on a light, advisory basis.
Why These Scams Are Increasing
This isn’t about people being careless.
Scammers are:
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Scraping public business data
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Cloning real company language
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Using AI-written scripts
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Learning exactly which words trigger panic
Their job is to create urgency before logic kicks in.
Don’t fall for it.
The Bottom Line
If someone contacts you unexpectedly and claims to be fixing, flagging, or saving your website or account:
Assume it’s a scam until proven otherwise.
Real companies don’t chase you.
Real professionals don’t pressure you.
Real problems don’t require panic.
And if something ever feels even a little “off,” that’s your cue to pause, not comply.