Welcome Diane Haberly,
Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. understand how frustrating it must be to deal with a persistent scam pop-up while trying to access secure websites, and I’m sorry you’re experiencing this issue.
You can try the steps below to troubleshoot the issue:
Step 1: Close Popup Immediately
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select Google Chrome, and click End task—this clears the screen instantly. Avoid clicking anything in the popup, as it may lead to malware
Step 2: Reset Chrome Permissions
- Open Chrome, click the three dots > Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Recent activity (or Cookies and site data > See all site data and permissions). Review recent sites, click each suspicious one, and select Reset permissions or Clear data—focus on those from when popups started
Step 3: Enable pop-up blockers
- Make sure you have pop-ups blocked in your browser settings.
- For Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects, and set it to "Don't allow"
- For Edge, click three-dot > go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All permissions > Pop-ups and redirects
Step 4: Run Anti-Adware Scans
- Download and run free Malwarebytes for a full scan, then quarantine threats. Next, get AdwCleaner from Malwarebytes (same site), run it to target adware/browser hijackers, and restart your PC. Re-run Windows Defender full scan afterward
Note: Scam pop-ups often come from malicious extensions or adware. If you see something like “Search Enhancer,” “Coupon,” or anything unfamiliar, remove it immediately.
Disclaimer: Please note that the tools or methods I mentioned are provided only as third‑party options. They are not developed, managed, or controlled by Microsoft. While these suggestions may help with troubleshooting, Microsoft cannot guarantee their safety, reliability, or suitability. I kindly encourage you to review and ensure your own security before using any third‑party software or following external recommendations.
I really hope that the information I gave above was helpful to you. Please feel free to reply below and let me know if you have further concern on this matter.
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