Device blocked due to illegal activity

Hi Kerry Moodie,

Thanks for reporting this issue in Microsoft Answers.

I understand you're seeing a message stating:

"Your device has been blocked due to illegal activity by the State of Contact."

Please rest assured that this is a known scam and not a legitimate system lock from Microsoft or any government authority. Also please avoid calling any phone numbers shown in the message, clicking on links, or sharing personal information. These warnings are crafted to deceive users into installing malicious software or granting unauthorized remote access to their devices.

Before we start, could you please share when did you first notice this issue? Knowing when the problem began can help me better understand the cause and provide more targeted support.

In the meantime, kindly follow these steps to safely unlock your PC:

Step 1: Force Close the Browser or App

-Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

-Locate your browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge) and click End Task.

Step 2: Clear Browser Cache and Extensions

-Open your browser and go to Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data.

-Remove any unfamiliar extensions under Extensions/Add-ons as well.

Step 3: Change Your Microsoft Account Password

To help secure your account, I recommend updating your Microsoft account password. Use a strong, unique password that you haven’t used elsewhere to prevent unauthorized access.

*Note: Your new password should include:

• At least 12 characters
• A mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
• Numbers and symbols
• Avoid using personal information or previously used passwords

Step 4: Restart Your PC in Safe Mode

-Hold the Power button for 10 seconds to shut down.

-Turn it back on and press F8 (or Shift + F8) repeatedly before Windows loads.

-Select Safe Mode with Networking then check if the issue persists.

Step 5: Run a Full Antivirus Scan

Use Windows Security or a trusted antivirus program to scan for any malware or suspicious activity that may have been introduced.

Step 6: Report the Incident to Microsoft  

Please report what happened using this link: Report a tech support scam. This helps Microsoft track and shut down fraudulent operations.

For more information, you can also refer to these Microsoft support articles: Protect yourself from tech support scams

If you need help with any of these steps or have any other questions, I’m here for you.

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