Avoid Tech Support Scams - Jaydien's Warning

Don’t be a victim of Tech Support Scams

One of the most common tactics scammers use is the Tech Support Scam. The way this scam works is a scammer may call you on the phone pretending to be a technician from a reputable Tech Support company informing you of an issue with your computer. You may even get a popup on your screen with a virus alert, accompanied with a phone number to call for help. When you call the phone number the scammer will tell you that your computer has been infected and they can help you. The scammer will ask you to install an application that will give them remote access to your computer.

Their goal is to either get you to pay them for fixing a non-existent computer problem or even worse, they may try to steal your personal or financial information. If you allow them to remote into your computer they can install viruses or malware and damage your data. We have even seen cases where the scammer has locked the victim out of their own computer and encrypted all of their data.

If you receive a call like this, do not provide any personal information. Simply hang up.

If you think you have gotten scammed:

First, don’t be ashamed. This is a very common scam and these scammers are pro’s! They know exactly what to say to gain your trust.
Turn off your computer, unplug it and disconnect from the internet.
If you gave them a credit card payment call the credit card provider immediately and contest the charges. Tell the representative what happened. They will most likely issue you a new card.
Uninstall any programs the scammers asked you to install.
Install all Windows security updates.
Run a virus scan to remove any malware.

Some IMPORTANT Things to Remember:

Microsoft will never call you on the phone to alert you of a computer issue.
If you get a notification or pop-up on your computer with a phone number, do not call it. Legitimate Microsoft errors never include phone numbers.
Download software only from legitimate sources. Third party sites can sometimes be infected with Tech Support Scam malware.
If a vendor is asking you to pay for support in the form of gift cards or bitcoin, it is a scam.