Scammers can be really ingenious when it comes to getting money and information out of their victims; they employ a varied array of tricks and “plays” to do just that, but there are some which are perennially “in vogue”. Read on to find out about one such scam…

Tech support scams

Tech support scams involve the usage of malware in order to damage a computer so that the fraudster may step in to offer assistance in the form of tech support (for a fee, of course). They may engineer pop-ups which encourage the target to call a particular number or message a certain email address.

Fake tech support staff

Once you answer such a message you will find yourself contacted by fake tech support staff who will claim to have the answer to your problem; they will state that they know what the problem is and how to fix it. They’ll offer to do just that for a fee, and at this point they will most likely ask for access to your computer.

This is where the game gets really dangerous; if you give them remote access you’re giving them the key to your secure information.

Website hosted tech support fraud

It is most common for these scams to be hosted on websites; you might be browsing information when you suddenly see a pop-up message. This is when the scam really begins; in all likelihood you’ll find that the number in question is a high-fee telephone number, and that the scammers will try to get information from you too.

If this sounds familiar and you feel that you have been targeted in the past Microsoft does have some advice as to what you can so to make sure your computer (and your details) is safe;

• Turn off or uninstall all remote management tools you might have
• Clean your system with antivirus/antimalware software
• Change all of your passwords
• Report the scam to your credit card provider and bank
• Keep an eye out for unusual activity
• Restore your computer to a previous state.

So, have you been a victim of a Tech Support scam? If so let us know about your experience in the comments section below.

Reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4013405/windows-protect-from-tech-support-scams