Printer Support Scam UK: How to Spot Fake HP Support Calls
Scammers are calling UK households pretending to be from HP printer support — here's exactly how to spot and stop them.
What is this scam?
The printer support scam is a common fraud where criminals impersonate legitimate printer manufacturers — usually HP — to trick you into believing your printer has a serious problem. You might receive a cold call, a pop-up message on your computer, or a text alert claiming your printer has malfunctioned, has a virus, or is sending errors. The scammer then pressures you to call a fake support number, download remote access software, or pay upfront for repairs. In reality, there is no problem with your printer. The goal is to get money from you, steal your banking details, install malware on your computer, or access your personal files. These scams are particularly effective because printers are common household items and many people don't regularly check their printer status, making them easy targets. Scammers rely on urgency and fear to bypass your natural skepticism.
Warning signs to look for
- Unsolicited phone calls claiming to be from 'HP Support' or 'Your Printer Company' — legitimate manufacturers rarely cold-call about printer issues.
- Pop-up messages on your screen displaying error codes, warnings about viruses, or alerts to 'call support immediately' — these are fake browser alerts, not genuine system warnings.
- Requests for remote access to your computer via software like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, or similar tools — legitimate HP support will never ask for this without you initiating contact first.
- Demands for payment by bank transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency before any work is done — real support charges only after repairs are confirmed and completed.
- Caller cannot provide your printer model, serial number, or account details when you ask for verification.
- Pressure to act immediately or threats that your printer will stop working, be blocked, or your data will be deleted if you don't comply.
- Grammar errors, heavy accents unrelated to the company's location, or background noise suggesting a call centre in an unexpected location.
- Requests to open Command Prompt, Device Manager, or to change system settings — a major red flag that malware is about to be installed.
How this scam works step by step
The scam typically begins with an unsolicited phone call or a pop-up message appearing on your computer screen. The caller claims to be from 'HP Technical Support' or uses a generic name like 'Windows Support Team' and tells you that errors have been detected on your printer or computer. They may reference specific error codes or claim your device is at risk. To convince you, they might ask you to check your printer's status or look at your computer's Event Viewer, where they'll interpret normal system logs as evidence of problems. Next, they'll ask for remote access to your computer by requesting you download a program like TeamViewer. Once you grant access, they'll make fake changes to your system, create fictional problems, or actually install malware. Finally, they'll demand payment for 'fixing' these non-existent issues, typically £150 to £500, and request payment by bank transfer, gift card, or even cryptocurrency. Some victims have also had their banking credentials, passwords, or personal documents stolen after granting remote access.
How to verify if it is genuine
If you receive a call or pop-up claiming to be from HP, do not follow their instructions immediately. Instead, hang up or close the pop-up and independently verify the contact. Go to the official HP website (hp.com) by typing the address directly into your browser — do not use links from the call or pop-up. Look up HP's genuine support phone number from their website and call them directly to confirm whether you have an outstanding issue. Genuine HP support will never cold-call you about printer errors or ask for remote access unprompted. Check your printer's actual status by looking at its control panel or checking its settings directly — if there are no error messages showing, the alert was fake. Be suspicious of any unsolicited contact, especially those creating urgency. For help identifying whether a website or contact is genuine, see our guide on /guides/is-this-website-a-scam/. Real manufacturers have verifiable contact details on their official websites and will always let you initiate support contact if you're concerned.
What to do if you have already interacted
Act quickly if you've already engaged with this scam. If you granted remote access to your computer, disconnect it from the internet immediately and restart it in Safe Mode. Change your passwords for email, banking, and other sensitive accounts from a different device — use a friend's computer or your phone's mobile data rather than your home internet. If you've already sent money, contact your bank or payment service immediately and report the transaction as fraud. Most banks can freeze accounts or reverse transfers if you act within 24 hours. Do not send additional money or follow further instructions from the scammer. Scan your computer for malware using reputable antivirus software like Windows Defender (which is built into Windows) or Malwarebytes. If you downloaded any software from the scammer, uninstall it immediately. Finally, report the scam to Action Fraud (see reporting section below) and consider changing your WiFi password to prevent any installed malware from communicating with scammers. Keep records of all communication for the authorities.
Reporting this scam in the UK
Report this scam to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud reporting centre, by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting actionfraud.police.uk. Provide as much detail as possible: the phone number that called you, any website links you were sent, software you were asked to download, and how much money (if any) was transferred. If you received a suspicious email or pop-up claiming to be from HP, forward it to the National Cyber Security Centre's Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk. If you received a text message with a malicious link, forward it to 7726 (free of charge). You can also report the scam to Citizens Advice's consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133, where advisers can guide you through next steps and potential refund options. Report the fraudulent phone number to your phone provider so they can flag it. If money was sent via a money transfer service like MoneyGram or Western Union, contact them immediately — they may be able to stop the transfer if it hasn't been collected yet. Reporting helps authorities track scam patterns and protect other UK residents.
Frequently asked questions
Is HP a legitimate company, or could this actually be real HP support?
HP is a legitimate manufacturer, but they will never cold-call you about printer problems or ask you to download remote access software without you initiating contact first. If you've called HP's official support number (found on their website), the call is genuine. If someone called you unexpectedly, it is almost certainly a scam, even if they knew your name or details about your printer.
I already sent money to the scammer. Can I get it back?
Contact your bank or payment service immediately — ideally within 24 hours — and report the transaction as fraud. If you used a bank transfer, your bank may be able to reverse it. If you used a gift card, money transfer service, or cryptocurrency, recovery is much harder but still report it to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) and the service provider. Many banks have fraud protection policies and may refund you, but speed is crucial.
I let the scammer access my computer remotely. What should I do about malware?
Disconnect your computer from the internet immediately and restart it. Run a full antivirus scan using Windows Defender (built into Windows) or download Malwarebytes from another device. Change all your passwords (email, banking, social media) from a different device using mobile data or a friend's WiFi. Consider taking your computer to a professional technician to ensure no persistent malware remains. Monitor your bank accounts closely for unauthorised activity.
How do I report a printer support scam in the UK?
Report to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting actionfraud.police.uk. If you received a suspicious email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. If you received a text message, forward it to 7726. You can also contact Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133. Report the fraudulent phone number to your telephone provider so they can block it from other customers.