Cold Call from "Microsoft" or "Technical Support"

 

This has been going on for a while...

 

If you get a call informing you there is something wrong with your computer, odds are this is a SCAM.

 

These calls have been going on for a while now.  The person on the line usually claims to be calling from Microsoft or a technical support team.

 

They will tell your there is a problem with you computer and get you to visit a website which gives them remote access to your machine.

Once they have access to your PC, they will lock you out with a password and install bogus "anti-virus, anti-malware" or some such software on your computer.

They also seem to enjoy snooping around your files for anything referencing online banking etc.

Once their "scan" has completed they will charge you for removing the false "virus" and then may also charge you again to unlock the password they created.

 

As if that wasn't bad enough, they also tend to leave behind tracking cookies and other nasties which may cause you problems and compromise your security online.

 

We are still getting machines in regularly on which we are finding lovely "gifts" they have left behind.

 

The truth is Microsoft will never call an individual user and unless you have arranged for a technician to call you regarding a computer problem then this person is almost certainly lying.

 

DO NOT GIVE OUT ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION OVER THE PHONE

DO NOT ENGAGE THEM IN CONVERSATION

DO NOT VISIT ANY WEBSITE THEY SUGGEST OR ALLOW THEM ACCESS

DO NOT GIVE YOUR BANK OR CREDIT CARD DETAILS

 

These callers are convincing, so don't feel bad if you have fallen victim to this scam.

If you have any concerns, please contact us and we can advise.