What to Do If You Unknowingly Gave Remote Access to a Stranger?

It usually starts with a phone call, a popup, or a message saying there’s something wrong with your computer. Maybe they claimed to be from Microsoft, your bank, or a tech support team. Maybe they asked you to install something like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, or Chrome Remote Desktop. You clicked. They connected.

 Now you’re wondering: What just happened? What can they see? What should I do?

Don’t panic! Here’s exactly what to do next. 

🔒 Immediate Actions

1. Disconnect from the internet:

Cut off the scammer’s live access by temporarily taking the device offline.

• Turn off Wi-Fi or unplug the ethernet cable if you are on PC/Mac
• On mobile devices you have the option to switch to Airplane Mode.
• Leave the device offline until you’re sure the remote session has ended and malware has been removed.

2. End the remote session & uninstall the remote access software

Remove the tool the scammer used so they can’t reconnect:

👉 For AnyDesk

• Click the red “Disconnect” button to end the session.
• Go to Settings, followed by Security and disable Unattended Access if it was enabled.
• Uninstall the app from your system or phone.

👉 For TeamViewer

• Close the session or the app window.
• Check if Easy Access or Unattended Access was set in the settings and disable them.
• Uninstall TeamViewer.

👉 For Chrome Remote Desktop

• Visit remotedesktop.google.com/access.
• Click “Disable Remote Connections” for your computer.
• Remove the Chrome extension and uninstall the host app.

👉 Microsoft Remote Desktop (Windows RDP)

• Go to Settings, then System, followed by Remote Desktop and toggle it off.
• Disable Remote Assistance in System Properties.

3. Scan your device for malware or spyware

Scammers often install malicious tools like keyloggers or backdoors.

• If you are a Windows user, use Microsoft Defender or Malwarebytes for a full system scan. Consider running scans in Safe Mode.
• For Mac, use Malwarebytes for Mac or check Activity Monitor for unknown background processes. Delete suspicious apps.
  
• Android users can scan using Google Play Protect or mobile antivirus (e.g. Bitdefender, Avast). Revoke device admin or accessibility permissions from unknown apps.
  
• iPhone/iPad users can delete any remote apps by going to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.

4. Change your passwords immediately

   Assume the scammer may have seen or stolen saved credentials.

• Use a different (safe) device to reset your Email accounts (Gmail, Outlook), Banking and financial logins as well as Social media accounts.
  
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all critical accounts to block access even if the scammer has your password.
  
• Use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords for each site.

5. Review your device for unauthorized changes or apps

On PC/Mac

• Check installed programs and browser extensions.
• Look for new user accounts with admin rights.
• Disable unknown startup items.

On Android/iOS

• Check for newly installed apps or tools.
• Review permissions, especially screen sharing or remote control features.
• Delete any configuration profiles that weren’t there before.

6. Inspect your financial accounts and notify institutions
   

   If the scammer accessed your online banking or payment apps:

• Log in (from a clean device) and review all recent transactions.
• Contact your bank or card provider if anything looks suspicious or if you shared sensitive info like card numbers or SSNs.
• Freeze or cancel affected cards if needed.
• Alert your bank that your device was compromised, they may issue new credentials or add monitoring.

🔁 Ongoing Monitoring & Protection

7. Monitor your credit and identity for long-term fraud
   

   If personal or financial information was exposed it is a good idea to:

• Check your credit reports every now and then
• Set up a fraud alert with one of the credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion).
• For stronger protection, consider a credit freeze, which blocks new credit account creation.

8. Report the scam to the proper authorities

• In the U.S. you can report to the Federal Trade Commission or file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3
• In other countries you can report to your national cybercrime unit or consumer protection agency.
• You can also report this incident to 911cyber.app and get immediate help!

9. Be alert for follow-up scams

• Studies suggest that scammers often re-target previous victims.
• Do not respond to unsolicited calls, texts, or pop-ups, even if they claim to be helping you “fix” the issue.
• Block numbers and email addresses you suspect were used by the scammer.

10. Consider a full device reset if unsure

If the device still behaves strangely, or you can’t confirm it’s clean:

• Backup your data, then perform a factory reset (phones/tablets) or a clean OS reinstall (PCs/Macs).
• This ensures all malware and hidden access points are removed.

Need help? Get expert guidance and specialized tools to assist in scam recovery and device cleanup here.