Q: Safari is telling me I have viruses

You don't. Do not contact any number or web site that may popup on the Internet.

I also have this problem AND when the virus msg appears, I lose control of Safari.  I quit the program and go back in and it is still there.  What are we to do?

Quit or force quit Safari, then restart Safari while holding the Shift key.

See A Browser Pop-up has Taken Over Safari. You might also consider installing ScamZapper, a free Safari extension designed specifically to block these "virus" tech support scam pop-ups.

(Note that I am affiliated with that site, and some pages contain ads).

Thanks!  Worked perfectly. 

You are welcome.