We’re not just fighting spam emails anymore: scammers are calling our phones too. The fact that someone claims to be calling from a legitimate business does not mean that he is actually a representative of that company, nor does it confirm that his intentions are pure.
We have seen a second round of these phone scammers flood our homes and it is causing serious problems. They often start by catching you off guard, leading you to believe that your computer has been hacked or is showing symptoms of a malicious virus. It’s scary to think that your sensitive data is not safe, including your passwords, online banking details, social media accounts, credit cards and customer details. This is where they catch you: they claim that they are helping to protect your data.
These callers are aggressive and claim to be from reputable, well-known organizations:
- Windows Support Service
- Windows Service Center
- Microsoft Support
- Microsoft Support
- Microsoft Certified Technician Team
- Windows Help Desk Support Group
- Microsoft research and development team
- Brand name computer manufacturers such as “Dell”
- Brand name security companies such as “Symantec” and “McAfee”
To check your computer for errors, they ask you to perform a variety of tasks:
- They instruct you to look through your computer and read information that could lead to a ‘diagnosis’. Often, they take you to a list of harmless, low-level error logs.
- They direct you to fraudulent websites that could load spyware onto your machine.
- They want you to give them remote access to your computer, so they can do it for you.
- They then ask for your credit card information so they can bill you for the bogus services they provide.
There are a number of arguments to consider when you receive a call like this:
Argument #1: Does the named organization actually make money by making house calls? Absolutely not! Solving your virus problems through proactive phone calls is not where a large organization like Microsoft or Dell is making money. They have bigger fish to fry; they want to sell you software and hardware.
Argument #2: Do they really know WHICH computer has the problem? Because if they are tracking you, they should certainly know and be able to tell you the name of your computer and how you can check it. Don’t be fooled if they know your name and other personal information, as that information is readily available through a variety of online resources. Just because they know you have a Windows computer is not enough validation.
Argument #3: Will they give you their name and phone number to call back? There may be super RARE instances where Microsoft will make a call, but NEVER provide your personal information, never provide credit card information, never give them access to your computer, and never provide passwords or logins. Maybe he’s a nice guy, maybe he even wants you to talk to his manager, but prove it BEFORE you risk making a mistake… take his info and call your tech support, or call a tech friend. Do you think you have a virus on your computer or is this news to you? The point is, never trust spam calls unless you can confirm that you are a legitimate representative of an IT support team that you are already a customer of.
Argument #4: Ask if there is a fee or subscription with the service. If there is, it’s probably a scam.
Argument #5: Are they asking you to install their special software? The software these scammers load onto your computer is often useless even though the name of the program sounds useful. And most of the time, the software is actually malware or spyware that is set to steal your passwords and other data after your phone call.
If you have been a victim…
These callers are certainly deceptive, and we’ve seen good friends fall for their scare tactics. If you have already been a victim, there are some important tasks you need to complete to protect yourself.
- Reject payment: Call your credit card company and disallow any and all associated fees.
- Shut down your computer: Do not bank, shop, or transfer money online until you have verified that your computer is free of spyware and viruses.
- Remove malware and spyware: Scan your computer for malware or spyware.
- Change your passwords: Change your computer password, your email password, your financial account passwords, and others you think may have been compromised.
- Seek professional help: If you are really worried, we strongly recommend that you contact your local tech support or even call the real reputable company that the caller claimed to be from.
The daunting part of this whole scam trend is that the number of people successfully scammed has to be high enough for the scammers to keep trying. Otherwise, the volume of calls would not continue to increase as it has in recent years. The only way to get through it is to remain educated and cautious. Protect your personal data as you would protect your family, your health and your life. Don’t let just anyone in to disturb you, and make sure your friends and family know the same.
