Don’t Fall Victim to Tech Support Scams

Reprinted from AVG Antivirus Newsletter…..

Phony calls, pop-up messages, the “blue screen of death.” Americans have lost over $1.5 billion to tech support scams.

How it Works:

Tech support scams can take various forms: A scammer posing as an employee of a well-known tech company calls to say the victim’s computer is sending messages that it has a virus. A victim sees a pop-up message on his screen claiming viruses are attacking the device. The message includes a phone number to call for assistance. A victim’s screen freezes (known as the Blue Screen of Death) with a phone number and instructions to call a tech support company.

What You Should Know:

The scammer’s goal is to gain remote access to your device. Once this happens, he claims to find multiple viruses or “malware” that he can fix for a fee. The scammer then asks for a form of payment, usually a credit card or a wire transfer.

What You Should Do:

Avoid clicking on pop-up notices that say you have a problem with your computer. If you get a tech support call out of the blue, hang up. Never give control of your computer to someone who calls you. Don’t give out your credit card number to someone who claims to be from tech support. Don’t give a caller your password; legitimate companies will never ask for it. Report scams like this to www.ftc.gov/complaint and let others know about it on our scam-tracking map.

Please share this important alert with friends and family. Kristin Keckeisen Fraud Watch Network