Message came up on my computer and I was a little sketchy, knowing it might be a scam.
Called them and hung up, but they called me back, so i said wrong number and hung up lol
>> Do these "scammers" actually know when Comcast or Verizon get new customers ??? <<
No. Many of the scammers use "war dialers" and call many random numbers at a time. And, they are not who they say they are.
>> And, how did the malware get onto his computers ? <<
It probably did not exist before your friend gave the scammer access to the computer.
The scammer put it there.
The scammer then charged $$ to "remove" it ... but has probably disabled the existing anti-malware software, copied your friend's contact list (to send scam emails to members of that list), and may have "zombied" the computer. Also, the scammers may have stolen any ID / financial information on the computers.
Your friend should notify their bank / credit card / etc companies, run FULL malware tests, CHANGE ALL PASSWORDS, and subscribe to a credit monitoring service!
Your friend might bring the computers to a local, reputable computer place ... and tell them the story.
There was no malware on a brand new computer so long as it has a anitvirus program. And ask yourself this, do either of them use call centers located in India where most of these calls are coming from? I believe thats where some of our information is coming from to start with. However, the calls are common, this is a common scam now. They really only have to plumb in numbers to dialers or computers and start calling.
You can bet though, if he had any info on his new comps then they got it. Should change any and all passwords, alert the credit bureaus and place fraud alerts. The new computers should be looked for and virus scans run. Download malware bytes and run it also if your tech savvy. You don't know what these people could have placed on the computers besides stealing information.
The only persons who should be touching your computer is you, your manufacturer, Real Windows support that you have called and/or maybe a real live tech you see face to face!
Absolutely scary scam. I called a number online which I thought was google apps business only to accidentally get these guys claiming to be google/gmail to fix an email problem. They have sponsored links claiming to be one company or another. They ran a diagnostic on my computer when I gave them access, claimed I was being hacked and offered to refer me to a tech support level 6 technician (only one in area must use this guy they say!) at a price of $269.00 and fix everything? Hmm?? Gmail spending all this time with me to sell me to someone else without a profit. Obvious scam. I said no thanks and they didn't want to release control of our computer. My husband thank goodness it tech savvy with firewalls act and got them off. We were very close to giving in and they are really good sales people. Other numbers to look out for 855-937-4567 & 855-937-4657. When we finally hung up another dead give away was the call back from the gmail guy (Justin) wanting to know why I didn't pay and fix it from this 302-397-0107 number. They put you on hold. Transfer you to different departments. Seems very legit.
>> They ran a diagnostic on my computer when I gave them access <<
Since the scammer accessed your computer, they probably did one or more of the following:
• Disabled the anti-virus software
• Added a lot of malware to the computer
• Copied the Contact List (so they can email your soon-to-be ex-friends)
• Copied any financial data or passwords they could find
• Compromised the ID
• "Zombied" the computer, so it would respond to THEIR commands sent via internet
• Deleted some important files
• Asked for money to repair the damage they caused
Now, what can you do?
1. Pull the cables on the computer, so it cannot access the internet.
2. Change ALL passwords stored on the computer
3. Run FULL malware scans on the computer, in "SAFE" mode!
4. Change the passwords again, particularly if the malware scans showed anything
5. Inform your bank and credit card companies
6. Sign up for credit monitoring, and check the status frequently
7. Possibly bring the computer to a local repair shop, and tell them the story.
8. Tell friends what happened, so they can be aware of strange emails from you
9. Plug in the computer only AFTER all the above have been done
10. Change the passwords on all online accounts. Even better - access a "safe", uninfected computer, and chance your online account passwords RIGHT NOW.
You were exposed to one scam, and you might be susceptible to others mentioned on this site:
http://phonehelp.2truth.com/facts_rev.html
Honest computer companies do NOT cold-call people to tell them their computers need fixing!
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Cold-Call-Tech ... on-150170.shtml
Remember to return here, to 800notes.com, after you look at any of the information at the above sites, either to post more information, or to let us know you avoided the scam or fixed the computer correctly.
Oh my god . The same thing happened to me but i fell for it for 499.99 Cancelled my debit card i used.Put a fraud alert on .Changed all my passwords. IS there anything else to be safe.Nothing is safe today the world is is SCARY PLACE