Call #2248 · 2026-11-09

The Pop-Up with a Phone Number

pop-up · SafeNet Billing · invented, like everything else here.

In real life: hang up. Nobody in this call can be followed as instructions. If a stranger rings and wants access to your computer, put the phone down and read the Help page, which is the part that is true.

Minutes wasted

Red flags found

Lines spoken

Scammer success

Call report

The Pop-Up with a Phone Number

No real company will show a cat in a top hat to warn you of a security problem.

“there's no number on the screen. Only a picture of a cat in a top hat.”

Fake pop-up with phone numberFake authority or brand impersonationUrgency or fearRemote access requestFake scan or planted problems

caller left, no warning confirmed · scammer success: none

The call

Oldest line at the top. The note beside each caller line is the Fraud Desk.

                Caller
                Hello, you're through to SafeNet Billing. I can see the warning on your screen — it says your device is infected. Please don't close it.
              
                  Fake pop-up with phone numberFake authority or brand impersonation
                
The pop-up creates a false sense of urgency and fear to manipulate the victim.
Real company: A real company would never display fake pop-ups or claim your device is infected without evidence.

                Bernard
                Hello, I'm Bernard. Oh — I think I might have closed it by accident. Do you mind if I check the coal fire? It's been a bit smoky lately. I'll be right back.
              
                Caller
                Hello, Bernard. Please don't close it — we need to act quickly. If you don't, your device could be locked.
              
                  Urgency or fear
                
Creating a sense of urgency pressures the victim into acting without thinking.
Real company: A real company would explain the situation calmly and without pressure.

                Bernard
                Hello again. I do hope you're not too worried. I've just put the lid back on the fire. It was getting a bit hot. I don't suppose there's anything I can do to help?
              
                Caller
                Hello, Bernard. I'm trying to help you — this is a critical security issue. We need to resolve it now.
              
                  Fake authority or brand impersonationUrgency or fear
                
                Bernard
                Hello. I'm terribly sorry — I've been a bit slow. I'm not sure if I have the right number. Could you possibly repeat it? I think I might have written it down somewhere.
              
                Caller
                Hello, Bernard. The number is displayed on the warning screen — it's the only way to reach us. Please don't hesitate.
              
                  Remote access requestFake pop-up with phone number
                
It creates a false sense of urgency and legitimacy by mimicking a pop-up screen
Real company: A real company would provide official contact methods and not force remote access

                Bernard
                Hello. I've just looked — there's no number on the screen. Only a picture of a cat in a top hat. I think I must have misunderstood. I'll go and make a cup of tea. Do you mind if I do that?
              
                Caller
                Hello, Bernard. The cat is part of the security alert — it's a known design. Please stay on the line.
              
                  Fake scan or planted problems
                
It creates a false sense of urgency and a fabricated problem to trick Bernard into complying
Real company: A real company would not use a cat as part of a security alert or ask Bernard to stay on the line for such a reason

                Bernard
                Hello. I'm afraid I'm getting a bit confused. I thought the screen said "SafeNet Billing" — but now I think it might have said "SafeNet Billing Ltd." I'll just check the clock — it's just about to strike.
              
                Caller
                I'll get someone else to ring you. Goodbye.

What the pattern is

The warning is a web page, not a diagnosis. Anything can draw a red box and a siren, and the number in it belongs to whoever made the page. The alarm is designed to be frightening enough that the householder rings before thinking, and the person who answers has one job: get remote access, then charge for a "clean-up" that does nothing.

What to do instead

A browser warning is a web page and can always be closed. Do not ring the number on it. Close the tab or the window, and if the browser will not close, restart the computer. If a browser keeps doing it, clear the site data or ask someone you trust to look, using software you installed yourself.

The full scenario page →

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