In their “Anatomy of an Imposter Scam” blog series, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) breaks down how to recognize, avoid, and report business and government imposter scams. Scammers are targeting people with pop-up warnings or calls claiming to have detected a virus on their computer. Here’s the rundown:
- The Scam:
- You receive a pop-up warning or a phone call claiming a virus has infected your computer, or a fraudulent charge on your account.
- The scammer offers “tech support” to fix the non-existent problem.
- They pressure you to give them remote access to your computer or phone.
- Once in control, they might install malware, steal personal information, or pressure you to transfer large sums of money for fake repairs. They may even offer to transfer your call to the “FTC” or “FBI” so that they can “protect” your money.
- What NOT to do:
- Never call a number from a pop-up warning.
- Don’t give remote access to your device to unknown callers.
- Never transfer money or share personal information based on unsolicited calls.
- What TO do:
- If worried about a computer virus, contact your real bank or investment advisor directly using a phone number you know is correct.
- Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Many scammers impersonate more than one organization in a single scam – for example, a fake Amazon employee might transfer you to a fake bank or even a fake FBI or FTC employee for fake help.
Key Takeaway: Be cautious of unsolicited tech support calls or pop-up warnings. Verifying information directly with trusted sources and avoiding remote access to strangers protects your device and your financial security.
In their latest blog post the FTC is warning consumers about a new twist on tech support scams. Source: New tech support scammers want your life savings
If you’ve been a victim of a scam and need your device(s) checked out so that you are confident that they are safe to use, contact Computer Techs.