Scam Alert! I have seen an increase in scam calls with many customers losing LOTS of money. Don’t fall for these scams. These can be initiated in a number of ways.
A website is infected and re-directs you to a site telling you to call Microsoft for your infections.
A random call from “Microsoft” stating your computer is infected.
You think you are calling tech support for a legitimate company like Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon or another big company for help with your account. Scammers are posting fake customer support numbers online to fool callers into purchasing unrelated computer software.
You’re having trouble with your account, so you search online for the customer support phone number. A quick search turns up what appears to be a legitimate toll-free number. Scam artists are actually posing as these companies and they’re providing these fake numbers. You dial it, a “representative” answers, then declares your account has been hacked. Then they say they can provide proof, but first, they need remote access to your computer.
Granting a scammer access though can open you up to the risk of identity theft. Scam artists can install malware that records passwords or hunts for personal information, such as bank account numbers.
This scam appears to be a pretext for selling computer security software. The expensive software – victims report paying between $200 and $900 – will do nothing to fix your account, which was never hacked in the first place.
Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from this support scam:
Don’t ever give a stranger remote access: Granting someone remote access to your computer permits them to install malware and access your files. Don’t do it!
Be careful when searching for support phone numbers: Rather than doing an online search for a support number, use the contact information on the business’s website (double check the URL) or your bill.
If you’ve been targeted by this scam, Contact Kevin at Wickenburg Computers.
kevin@wickenburgcomputers.com
928-671-0389
Or use the contact form at
www.wickenburgcomputers.com https://www.wickenburgcomputers.com/contact-us/