I know a few people who should know better but got scammed by phone calls saying "your computer is infected and I'm from Microsoft/Google/Norton/etc to help fix it."
The same scam comes from pop up web ads alerting you to non existent viruses and saying you must call an 800 number for help. Some even have a voice stating the same message. The ad will even "show" you viruses it "found." It's 100% fake.
The pitches are very compelling. They show you fake screens indicating your computer is packed with viruses, then say they can fix it for a fee, and victims provide their credit card number which is of course then compromised.
The scammers ask you to click and download a program to give them unlimited access to your computer, but as soon as you allow them in the front door of your computer, they upload all your documents hoping to find identity information, they run software to steal passwords you use, and they install viruses and 'keylogger' programs to grab more passwords and personal data after the call.
The scammers ask you to click and download a program to give them unlimited access to your computer, but as soon as you allow them in the front door of your computer, they upload all your documents hoping to find identity information, they run software to steal passwords you use, and they install viruses and 'keylogger' programs to grab more passwords and personal data after the call.
Whether victims realize it is a scam or not, there's a lot of damage to address.
Because they have your identity and credit information, you must subscribe to a credit protection service for years, change every password you use on your computer--immediately, cancel credit cards and inform your bank(s), run antivirus scans, etc.
These criminals will take your identity information and sell it to other scammers, so you would get more emails and phone calls with similar scams, and thousands or millions of similar hackers will have your credit and identity information.
Again, their message sounds so genuine and compelling that smart and non-senile people fall for it every day. It is not just the elderly or non-computer literate who fall for this scam.
Never, ever respond to phone calls that ask for your info. If you get such a call, hang up immediately. If it was supposedly from some company you deal with, then call their real number from their real website yourself to see if there really is some problem with your account.
Never, ever respond to web pop up ads saying your computer or phone is infected. Because those ads might have fake "close" X buttons, so clicking that to make it go away might install viruses. Better to turn off your computer or phone. Do not put it in sleep/hibernate mode, because it will still be there when you turn it back on. Just yank the power cord or push and hold the power switch for 5 seconds. For a phone, turn it off, then back on.
These can work on any device. Macs and phones are not immune.
Nobody reputable will ever call you and tell your your computer is infected. Corporate IT departments might detect an infected computer in your office but they will alert you in more reputable ways, and you can check with the IT department to verify the fact.
And remember that no real company will call or email you saying your account must be"reverified" or similar wording. The IRS won't ever email you. Social Security won't email you. Your bank will never email you asking for you to change a password or re-verify your account.
Please pass this warning to your family, coworkers and friends, and especially to children and the elderly who may be more vulnerable to real-sounding cons.
Contact us for assistance with any computer security problems, or to recover from any sort of hacking attack.
Contact us for assistance with any computer security problems, or to recover from any sort of hacking attack.
