AnyDesk & TeamViewer Scams — What to Do If You Let Someone In
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AnyDesk and TeamViewer are legitimate, widely-used remote-support tools. The problem is that scammers love them: a caller claiming to be from “support”, your bank, the NBN, Telstra or even the police talks you into installing one, and suddenly a stranger can see your screen and control your computer. If that has just happened to you, stay calm — this page tells you exactly what to do, and how we make your device safe again.
Let a “support” caller into your computer?
Disconnect it from the internet and talk to a real technician — we can check and clean it today, onsite or remotely from a clean connection.
Is AnyDesk or TeamViewer a scam?
No — both are genuine programs used by IT professionals every day. They are only dangerous when someone you don’t know and didn’t call asks you to install one. A real bank, telco or government department will never phone out of the blue and ask for remote access to your computer. If that’s how the session started, treat it as a scam, no matter how convincing or helpful the caller seemed.
What to do right now
- Disconnect from the internet — unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi. This instantly ends the remote session.
- Hang up and don’t call back any number they gave you. Don’t pay anything or buy gift cards.
- From another, trusted device, change your email and banking passwords and turn on two-factor authentication.
- Call your bank if you have online banking or entered any card details — most have a 24/7 fraud line.
- Uninstall AnyDesk/TeamViewer if you can — but be aware the scammer may have installed other hidden software, so this alone is not enough.
For the full recovery steps and a professional clean-up, see our remote-access scam help page. If your phone was involved rather than a computer, see remove a hacker or spyware from your phone.
Why uninstalling the app isn’t enough
During a remote session a scammer can install keyloggers, hidden remote-access tools and browser add-ons, change settings, and copy files — all of which remain after AnyDesk or TeamViewer is removed. The only way to be certain your machine is clean is a thorough professional check. The Original PC Doctor will scan for and remove anything left behind, help you secure your accounts, and — if you’d like — issue an Internet Banking Certificate confirming the device is safe to bank on again. We help Australians onsite and remotely, and we’re patient and plain-English.
Report it (free)
- Your bank — first and fastest if money or card details were exposed.
- IDCARE — Australia’s free identity & cyber support service: 1800 595 160.
- Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre) — scamwatch.gov.au.
- ReportCyber (Australian Cyber Security Centre) — cyber.gov.au.
A recent client story
Frequently asked questions
I gave them access but they didn’t ask for money — am I still at risk?
Possibly. Some scammers take what they need quietly (passwords, files, banking access) without asking for payment up front. Have the device checked and change your passwords to be safe.
Should I delete AnyDesk or TeamViewer?
Yes, remove the program you were asked to install, but don’t assume that makes you safe — other hidden software may remain. A professional clean confirms it.
Can they still get back in after I hang up?
If they installed unattended-access software, potentially yes — which is why disconnecting from the internet and having the device checked matters. Once cleaned and secured, they cannot return.
Don’t keep using that device until it’s been checked. Call 1300 723 628 or book a clean-up.
