While not a new scam, it’s one that continues to target British Columbians. This blog serves as a reminder about what to watch out for when it comes to the tech support/Microsoft scam.
How does this scam work? Basically, you get a call from someone claiming to be from tech support (usually Windows or Microsoft) and stating your computer has a problem. Their goals may include getting remote control of your computer to access your private information or install malicious software, or convincing you to give them your credit card information to make phony charges.
Three ways to tell if it’s a tech support scam call:
If you’ve been the victim of this scam, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
ADDITIONAL READING:
Recognizing counterfeit money
Buying event tickets from an online classified site? Be careful!
Free trial traps: how to identify them and what to do if you’re stuck
Hi Melaina: a very good posting today, especially for those who may yet not have experienced such a scam call. I have such a call over a year ago and strung him along like he strung me along without giving any info or allowing him access to my computer. He went from offering me a deal of $249 to ‘fix’ my ‘problem’ to $49 and I rejected it all. In the end I told him he was a scammer, etc. and hung up. After that, I just hung up on such callers at the start, which is really the best thing to do and not waste time.
Hi Melaina,
I have gotten so many calls from Microsoft telling me every time I have a problem with my computer. Each and every time I always say why would Microsoft call me telling me I have a problem. How would they know I have a problem. I am not giving you access to my computer. I am not giving you a credit card number. I will get my neighbor to look at my computer. They hang up.
Susannah: so glad this post was useful and it sounds like you’ve got the right idea by hanging up!
Judy: Frustrating, isn’t it? Great that you’re being vigilant about not giving out your financial information. Hope they stop calling you!
My boyfriend did thi a year ago I was at work and didn’t know but he said they fixed out computer and they installed a anti virus thing on our computer but he only got charged that one time . Idk if they can steal our identitys or whatever now but seeing this scares me now and hopefully they can’t steal our identitys now.
Hi Tanita — Microsoft has shared a few tips at the end of this article, saying what to do if you already gave out information: [url]http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/avoid-phone-scams.aspx[/url] Look under the section header “What to do if you already gave information to a tech support person.” All the best to you.
Whenever they phone I just tell them I have an apple computer, and they hang up pretty quick. Hahaha
Thanks for the tips! I found tons of complaints on this fake tech support scam at Callercenter.com and it’s obviously on the rise, happening in every part of the country. Good thing I found this article. It gave me an idea what to look out for in a scam call. I’ll surely share this with my family and friends.