Beware Tech Support Scams!
Tech support scams are some of the evilest forms of hacks. In these scams, fraudsters contact victims and trick them into granting the scammer access to their computers. The crooks may reach out to people through a phone call. They’ll insist that the victims have a virus or another problem they’ve somehow detected from the company’s headquarters. Or, they’ll send a popup to the victim’s computer. The popup will flash dire warnings about an impending or existing virus that can be “fixed” by clicking on a link.
There are several outcomes of such tech support scams, none of them good. Sometimes, a scammer will trick you into installing malware on your computer. Claiming you have to click on a link to heal your computer of its ills. Other times, they might sell you expensive “software” by making the same false claims.
Still other times, they’ll direct you to a bogus tech support website where you’ll be asked to input your credit card information. And they’ll frequently help themselves to the sensitive data they find on your computer and then wreak havoc on your financial life.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Scams
Tech support scams are nothing new, but a recent wave of these scams has taken on an ironic twist. The very organization that leads the battle in taking down scammers is being exploited for a particularly heinous hack.
Scammers posing as FTC employees are calling victims, asking for remote access to their computers. They assure victims they can help restore any affected devices to their previous working conditions. Many of them are claiming to represent the FTC’s Advanced Tech Support Refund program.
This program was created to help victims of previous scams collect their refund money from the FTC. The scammers will convince the victims that they are moments away from seeing their money – they need to provide the alleged FTC employee with remote access to their computer. They may also ask for an upfront payment before the refund can be issued or for checking account information, claiming the refund must clear.
Of course, none of this is true, and the caller has never worked for the FTC. The FTC will never request remote access to your device or ask you to pay to receive a refund. Also, their refunds are sent in check form via snail mail and do not require any checking account information at all.
The FTC has alerted the public that the only genuine number to call for information about the Advanced Tech Support Refund program is 877-793-0908. If someone calls you on their own, assume it’s a scam. End the call immediately and report the incident to the FTC.
Recognizing Tech Support Scams
As mentioned, the wave of tech support scams in which fraudsters impersonate the FTC are easy to spot if you know this necessary information about the FTC: They will never request remote access to your computer, ask for payment in exchange for a refund, or reach out to you on the phone.
Here’s how to prevent other variations of tech support scams:
- Never click on a pop-up box that claims your computer has a virus and offers to clean it. This will only infect your computer or grant a scammer remote access to your device.
- Always call tech support on your own. If they call you, especially if you’re not aware of any problem with your computer, hang up as quickly as you can.
- Never agree to purchase expensive software online to fix an alleged virus.
SOURCES:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2018/04/ftc-asking-access-your-computer-its-scam
