This Isn’t Your Real IT Help Desk

A new scam is making the rounds through Microsoft Teams, the platform many organizations use for calls, messages, and video meetings. Attackers are placing unsolicited calls while posing as “IT SUPPORT” or “Help Desk.” To look convincing, they may even add a check mark emoji to their profile name. Once connected, they claim there’s an urgent issue with your computer that must be fixed right away.

The truth: these callers are cyber criminals exploiting a default Teams feature that allows outsiders to contact you. If you pick up, they’ll pressure you to install software that grants them access to your system. With that control, they can steal login credentials, plant malware, or even reach into your organization’s internal network.

How to protect yourself:

• Treat unexpected IT calls with caution. If you get one, confirm it directly with your organization’s real IT staff.

• Never install software just because someone from an unsolicited chat or call tells you to. Pause and verify before clicking anything.

• Don’t allow screen sharing or remote access unless you are absolutely sure of who you’re dealing with. Scammers thrive on creating false urgency to make you slip up.