Tech Support Scams in 2021 - See the Latest Statistics from Microsoft
Microsoft partnered with YouGov to measure the impact of technology scams in 2021 and gain insight into the latest trends, polling ~16,000 people across 16 countries to measure the impact of technology scams on productivity, psychological well-being, and finances.
Result Highlights
- The total number of tech support scam victims declined.
- People are more skeptical about suspicious messages.
- Victims are losing more money after a successful scam.
Read the full Report: Tech support scams adapt and persist in 2021, per new Microsoft research
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How bad is it?
Three out of five consumers have encountered a tech support scam in the last 12 months, with one out of six being tricked into following through with the scam and losing hundreds of dollars. Victims lost $200 on average, though some lost thousands of dollars in tech support scams.
Who is at risk?
Millennials (aged 24-37) and Gen Zers (aged 18-23) have the highest exposure to attacks, with one in ten falling victim to a scam and losing money. While older users are still victimized, younger users are more confident when using technology and take more risks online which end up leading to more successful scams.
What do scammers want?
YouGov’s data shows that infecting a system with malware is still the top goal for scammers, with 30% of users having computer issues after talking with fake tech support representatives. Financial information is still a major goal for scammers, with many victims being directed to share their social security number or log in to their online banking account.
To get all of the latest insights, see the full report breakdown from YouGov here:
Global Tech Support Scam Research United States
While there are plenty of cybersecurity software solutions to help keep your business and team safe, understanding the threats and learning how to identify a potential scam is the first step in protecting yourself. Fill out our form to schedule a free 30-minute technology assessment with our team, exploring your existing infrastructure and identifying ways that you can shore up your defenses in the online world.