Internet scams are forms of fraud carried out online by cybercriminals. They can happen through email, social media, text messages, fake technical-support calls, mobile apps, calendar invitations, shopping platforms, and other channels.
Scammers may try to steal payment information, account credentials, passwords, or other personal information. They often create a sense of urgency or fear to pressure you into acting before you can verify the message.
Email scams
Emails that impersonate AVG may claim that your subscription is expiring, your payment is due, your device is infected, or your account requires immediate attention.
These messages may ask you to:
- Click a link to renew or verify an account
- Open an attachment or invoice
- Call a phone number
- Visit a fake support or payment website
- Reply with personal, account, or payment information
Never click links or open attachments in suspicious emails. Forward suspicious AVG emails as an attachment to spam@avg.com. For approved AVG sender domains, refer to the following article: Verify that an email you receive from AVG is legitimate.
Be cautious of offers that appear too good to be true, notifications about unexpected charges, and messages that contain spelling or grammatical mistakes.
Technical-support scams
In a technical-support scam, criminals pretend to represent AVG or another technology company. They may claim that your device is infected or has a serious security problem.
The scammer may try to persuade you to:
- Call a phone number
- Install remote-access software
- Pay for unnecessary services
- Share passwords or payment information
- Allow access to your computer or device
Do not provide device access or sensitive information in response to unsolicited calls or messages. If you need help, contact AVG Support.
Social media scams
Social media scams may appear as posts, advertisements, direct messages, or comments. They often encourage you to click a link, claim a prize, contact fake support, or provide personal information.
Do not click suspicious links or share sensitive information through social media. If you need help, contact AVG Support.
Mobile app and text-message scams
Mobile scams may use fake apps, SMS messages, or other text messages to spread malware or direct you to phishing websites.
Do not install apps from suspicious sources. Do not click links in unexpected text messages. If you need help, contact AVG Support.
Calendar invitation scams
Scammers may send fake calendar invitations claiming that a subscription is expiring, a payment is pending, or an account requires attention.
These invitations may include urgent renewal notices, fake transaction details, and phone numbers to call. Do not click links, call numbers, or respond to unexpected calendar invitations. Delete the event and verify the request by contacting AVG Support.
Shopping-platform scams
Scammers may use shopping platforms or apps to create fake order notifications that appear to show an AVG purchase or charge.
The notification may contain a fake order confirmation, a charge you do not recognize, or a phone number for “customer support.” Do not call the numbers listed in the notification or share personal or payment information. Check your AVG Account or contact AVG Support instead.
Tips and best practices to avoid cyber scams
- Do not open emails, click links, or download attachments from questionable sources.
- Do not act on tempting offers without verifying them.
- Use strong, unique passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication where available.
- Keep your operating system, browser, and security software up to date.
- Do not respond to requests for passwords or personal information.
- Reject unsolicited technical-support offers or other unexpected assistance.
- Use official websites and apps instead of links or phone numbers provided in suspicious messages.
What to do if you have already responded to a scam
If you clicked a link, opened an attachment, replied, shared information, or made a payment:
- Change the passwords for any potentially affected accounts.
- Enable two-factor authentication where available.
- Run a full malware scan on your device.
- Contact your financial institution if you shared payment information or lost money.
- Report the message to your email provider and, where appropriate, the relevant authorities.
- Forward the suspicious AVG email as an attachment to spam@avg.com.
- Warn your contacts if your email account may have been compromised.
When in doubt, stop, verify the request through an official channel, and do not share sensitive information.
Further recommendation
- All AVG consumer products
- All supported platforms