Technical Fraud
Tech Support Scams
Fraudsters pose as technical support representatives from well-known companies to gain access to your computer and financial information.
How It Works
- A fake security alert pop-up appears on your computer, often with a loud noise, claiming your device is infected with viruses.
- The pop-up provides a phone number to call for "immediate assistance".
- The "technician" on the phone will try to convince you to grant them remote access to your computer.
- Once they have access, they may install malware, steal personal files, or trick you into paying for useless services or software.
Red Flags
- Unsolicited tech support calls or pop-up warnings.
- Requests for remote access to your computer from someone you did not contact first.
- Pressure to pay for services using unconventional methods like gift cards or wire transfers.
- Claims that your computer has critical errors that only their proprietary software can fix.
Prevention Tips
- Legitimate companies will never contact you first about a problem with your computer.
- Never grant remote access to an unsolicited caller.
- If a pop-up appears, do not call the number. Close the browser window or restart your computer.
- Keep your antivirus software and operating system up to date.
Example Scenario
"A pop-up freezes your browser, displaying a message that says "Windows Defender Alert: Your PC is infected with 5 viruses. Call Microsoft Support at 1-800-XXX-XXXX immediately to prevent data loss.""