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Bernard Doesn't Press That The Fraud Desk
Line quiet

Call #2253 · 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.

15
Minutes wasted
4
Red flags found
11
Lines spoken
0
Scammer success
Call report

The Pop-Up with a Phone Number

No real company will insist you have a screen when you clearly don't.

“I'm afraid I can't see a screen — I've got a little TV in the kitchen.”

Fake pop-up with phone numberUrgency or fearFake authority or brand impersonationRemote access request

nothing gained, line closed · 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 see the warning on your screen — the one saying your device is infected. You need to act quickly, or your data could be at risk.
Fake pop-up with phone numberUrgency or fear

It creates a false sense of urgency and fear to pressure the victim into acting immediately

Real company: A real company would not use fake pop-ups to scare users into calling a number

Bernard Hello there, I'm sorry, I don't have a screen — I've got a little TV in the kitchen. Oh, and I'm rather deaf in the left ear, you know. But I do have a radio, and I listen to the news all the time.
Caller Hello, I understand — but the warning on your screen is urgent. If you don't act now, your information could be lost forever.
Urgency or fear
Bernard Hello, I do love a good radio programme — there was one about scams last week. I'm not sure I'm the best person to deal with warnings, to be honest. I'm rather fond of my biscuits, and I have a parrot named Mavis.
Caller I'm sorry to hear that — but the warning on your screen is from our system. If you don't let me help, your device could be compromised.
Fake authority or brand impersonation

The caller pretends to be from a trusted source to gain the victim's trust

Real company: A real company would not claim to be from a system on the victim's screen

Bernard Hello, I'm afraid I can't see a screen — I've got a little TV in the kitchen. I'm rather deaf in the left ear, you know.
Caller I'm sorry — but the warning on your screen is very clear. You need to let me help you before it's too late.
Remote access requestUrgency or fear

Creating a sense of urgency and fear makes the victim more likely to comply without thinking

Real company: A real company would never demand immediate action or create a false sense of urgency

Bernard Hello, I'm terribly sorry — I don't have a screen. I have a little TV, but it's in the kitchen. I'm rather deaf in the left ear, you know.
Caller I'm sorry — but the warning on your screen is urgent. You need to let me see it now, or your information could be lost.
Remote access requestUrgency or fear
Bernard Hello — I can't see any screen. I have a small TV, but it's not working well. I'm not sure I'm the best person to deal with warnings.
Caller I'll ring you back another day. Bye now.

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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