Scam Alert: Tech Support Phone Calls
Tamara here, with the AllClear Investigation team. Scammers will try anything to get you to fall prey to their attack. Whether it’s online, by mail, or over the phone, the experience is never a pleasurable one. It seems there is also a time where certain types of scams spike, such as the Tech Support telephone scam recently popping back up again according to this newsletter from www.securingthehuman.org, seeming to target the elderly.
How this scam works
You get a phone call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft Tech Support or other internet service provider stating they have detected a virus on your computer and they want to help you remove it.
To convince you, the scammer instructs you to open the Event Viewer window. Upon opening the Event Viewer, they lead you to take note of the yellow and red flags. Now, though they look like they would indicate a problem, they are mostly harmless, and everybody’s Event Viewer has yellow and red flags. To inexperienced or not so technically apt individuals, this looks like it could be evidence that there is malicious software installed or a problem with their system.
At this point, the scammers convince you to download a program which allows them to remotely access your computer, or direct you to a fake tech support website where you download malware disguised as a fix for your computer. One service the scammers commonly use to remotely access your computer so is Ammyy.com. (Ammyy is aware of this and has issued a warning including instructions on how to remove the program from your computer.) Once they have access to your computer, whether it’s via the remote access computer or via malware, they have access to whatever you may have stored on your computer. They will then take that information to take over bank accounts, make fraudulent charges, or other criminal activity.
After installing or accessing your system, the scammer will then ask for your credit card information to pay for the service of “cleaning up” your computer or offering anti-virus protection. Victims that have provided that information were fraudulently charged as much as hundreds of dollars for services that are offered for free.
If you have fallen prey to this scam, first contact your financial institutions and report the incident. Shut down your computer, then restart it with a program designed to detect malware, or have a trusted professional check it out.
And, it is always good to report the scam. In reporting to the Federal Trade Commission the information is entered into a database which is accessed by law enforcement authorities to assist with the investigation, hopefully leading to catching the scammers. Another place to report telephone scams are to your Attorney General’s office. Information to report would be items such as the scammer’s name, where they claim to be calling from, what type of accent the scammer has (if they have one), the telephone number, and the date and time of the call.
Microsoft, and any other internet service provider, will not make unsolicited phone calls to charge you for computer security or software fixes.
Comments
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Thanks for posting. I did get a call like that and let me just add this warning that the scammer was very convincing. He knew the terms and sounded very professional. Had I not read about Fake tech call scam before, I might have allowed the man access to my computer because he made it sound very urgent that I let him remotely access my computer so he can fix it. I told him I knew what he was up to and hung up.
Thanks for posting. I did get a call like that and let me just add this warning that the scammer was very convincing. He knew the terms and sounded very professional. Had I not read about Fake tech call scam before, I might have allowed the man access to my computer because he made it sound very urgent that I let him remotely access my computer so he can fix it. I told him I knew what he was up to and hung up.
I had a similar experience on October
I had a similar experience on October
is there a way people who get calls like this could get enough identifying information to get the caller in trouble? what information would be needed from them that we could copy down quickly before hanging up, to get closer to being able to shut them down or at least get their wrists slapped?
is there a way people who get calls like this could get enough identifying information to get the caller in trouble? what information would be needed from them that we could copy down quickly before hanging up, to get closer to being able to shut them down or at least get their wrists slapped?
I’m very aware of scams and I didn’t think anyone could fool me but I was wrong. These technician scams aren’t only coming from phone calls they are coming from fake websites and by getting on chat rooms for help on sites like Yahoo and Google Mail. I googled AVG because they are my anti-virus support. I see a website that says AVG and under it says “Talk to an AVG technician.” What I should have noticed is that the actual web address had AVG and then in small letters “guruaid” and numbers. When I clicked on the website address it took me to a page that looked like AVG and there was contact information. I wanted to call because I had a weird message coming up on my scan. I call and I’m now talking to a tech in India. I think no big deal they are all doing it. The thing that got weird is he was taking all this time to help me and now is on my computer clicking around he goes to “Event Viewer” like in the article above. Around this time I recalled that AVG makes you pay extra for this type of tech support and I knew something was very wrong and this tech was a scammer. I had to tread lightly now but I did ask him you told me you are with AVG. “Well, no we can fix AVG problems and you have been hacked but for $399 I can fix it for you and you will have our service for 3 years.” I was beyond livid at myself that I let this guy access to my computer. I didn’t have a virus, AVG doesn’t get along with Norton and they were causing false root kit warinings. He knew this, it’s a scam. So bottom line be careful with anyone you are dealing with now. Another company “Spy Ware”, I think that’s the name just tried the same thing on my parents by going into a Yahoo Mail Help chat room. They pretended to be a Yahoo rep. telling them the same thing and using the “Event Viewer” scam. My Mom knew they didn’t have a virus and got out of it. These companies are pretending to be with Windows, AVG, Avast, Yahoo and Google. Maybe more. If you have any suspicions that it might be a fake phone number, google it first. I had to change everything that has a password just in case. I didn’t let them download anything. I actually had told the guy I was good with computers! Joke on me.
I’m very aware of scams and I didn’t think anyone could fool me but I was wrong. These technician scams aren’t only coming from phone calls they are coming from fake websites and by getting on chat rooms for help on sites like Yahoo and Google Mail. I googled AVG because they are my anti-virus support. I see a website that says AVG and under it says “Talk to an AVG technician.” What I should have noticed is that the actual web address had AVG and then in small letters “guruaid” and numbers. When I clicked on the website address it took me to a page that looked like AVG and there was contact information. I wanted to call because I had a weird message coming up on my scan. I call and I’m now talking to a tech in India. I think no big deal they are all doing it. The thing that got weird is he was taking all this time to help me and now is on my computer clicking around he goes to “Event Viewer” like in the article above. Around this time I recalled that AVG makes you pay extra for this type of tech support and I knew something was very wrong and this tech was a scammer. I had to tread lightly now but I did ask him you told me you are with AVG. “Well, no we can fix AVG problems and you have been hacked but for $399 I can fix it for you and you will have our service for 3 years.” I was beyond livid at myself that I let this guy access to my computer. I didn’t have a virus, AVG doesn’t get along with Norton and they were causing false root kit warinings. He knew this, it’s a scam. So bottom line be careful with anyone you are dealing with now. Another company “Spy Ware”, I think that’s the name just tried the same thing on my parents by going into a Yahoo Mail Help chat room. They pretended to be a Yahoo rep. telling them the same thing and using the “Event Viewer” scam. My Mom knew they didn’t have a virus and got out of it. These companies are pretending to be with Windows, AVG, Avast, Yahoo and Google. Maybe more. If you have any suspicions that it might be a fake phone number, google it first. I had to change everything that has a password just in case. I didn’t let them download anything. I actually had told the guy I was good with computers! Joke on me.
Devra, GuruAid looks like a legitimate company – check out their BBB listing: https://www.bbb.org/connecticut/business-reviews/telemarketing-services/lester-inc-in-branford-ct-64002532. Though they have recent complaints, all of the complaints have been resolved.
Good remidner to be careful though, and you can always check out things like the BBB to see if businesses are legitimate before moving forward and working with them. – Kirsten from AllClear ID marketing
Devra, GuruAid looks like a legitimate company – check out their BBB listing: https://www.bbb.org/connecticut/business-reviews/telemarketing-services/lester-inc-in-branford-ct-64002532. Though they have recent complaints, all of the complaints have been resolved.
Good remidner to be careful though, and you can always check out things like the BBB to see if businesses are legitimate before moving forward and working with them. – Kirsten from AllClear ID marketing