Keep getting calls from this number. Wants to fix my computer. Claim they are from Microsoft or same voice another time says they are from Computer services.
IT'S A SCAM!!!! The man claimed to be from WINDOWS and said my computer sent a security alert that he was prepared to help me with (PLEASEEEEE). I took up as much of his time as possible asking him for his name, company name, contact info, etc. (HA! With his thick accent he disclosed that his name was Kevin Anderson! SURE!). Funny how he suddenly didn't have time for me anymore when I said I was going to do a quick web search on him and his company, that's when he hung up.
Scammers have been peddling bogus security software for years. They set up fake websites, offer free “security” scans, and send alarming messages to try to convince you that your computer is infected. Then, they try to sell you software to fix the problem. At best, the software is worthless or available elsewhere for free. At worst, it could be malware — software designed to give criminals access to your computer and your personal information.
The latest version of the scam begins with a phone call. Scammers can get your name and other basic information from public directories. They might even guess what computer software you’re using.
Once they have you on the phone, they often try to gain your trust by pretending to be associated with well-known companies or confusing you with a barrage of technical terms. They may ask you to go to your computer and perform a series of complex tasks. Sometimes, they target legitimate computer files and claim that they are viruses. Their tactics are designed to scare you into believing they can help fix your “problem.”
Once they’ve gained your trust, they may:
ask you to give them remote access to your computer and then make changes to your settings that could leave your computer vulnerabletry to enroll you in a worthless computer maintenance or warranty programask for credit card information so they can bill you for phony services — or services you could get elsewhere for freetrick you into installing malware that could steal sensitive data, like user names and passwords
direct you to websites and ask you to enter your credit card number and other personal informationRegardless of the tactics they use, they have one purpose: to make money.
If You Get a Call
If you get a call from someone who claims to be a tech support person, hang up and call the company yourself on a phone number you know to be genuine. A caller who creates a sense of urgency or uses high-pressure tactics is probably a scam artist.
Keep these other tips in mind:
Don’t give control of your computer to a third party who calls you out of the blue.Do not rely on caller ID alone to authenticate a caller. Criminals spoof caller ID numbers. They may appear to be calling from a legitimate company or a local number, when they’re not even in the same country as you.Online search results might not be the best way to find technical support or get a company’s contact information. Scammers sometimes place online ads to convince you to call them. They pay to boost their ranking in search results so their websites and phone numbers appear above those of legitimate companies. If you want tech support, look for a company’s contact information on their software package or on your receipt.Never provide your credit card or financial information to someone who calls and claims to be from tech support.If a caller pressures you to buy a computer security product or says there is a subscription fee associated with the call, hang up. If you’re concerned about your computer, call your security software company directly and ask for help.Never give your password on the phone. No legitimate organization calls you and asks for your password.Put your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry, and then report illegal sales calls.If You’ve Responded to a Scam
If you think you might have downloaded malware from a scam site or allowed a cybercriminal to access your computer, don’t panic. Instead:
Get rid of malware. Update or download legitimate security software and scan your computer. Delete anything it identifies as a problem.Change any passwords that you gave out. If you use these passwords for other accounts, change those accounts, too.If you paid for bogus services with a credit card, call your credit card provider and ask to reverse the charges. Check your statements for any other charges you didn’t make, and ask to reverse those, too.If you believe that someone may have accessed your personal or financial information, visit the FTC’s identity theft website. You can minimize your risk of further damage and repair any problems already in place.File a complaint with the FTC at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1.
How to Spot a Refund Scam
If you paid for tech support services, and you later get a call about a refund, don’t give out any personal information, like your credit card or bank account number. The call is almost certainly another trick to take your money.
The refund scam works like this: Several months after the purchase, someone might call to ask if you were happy with the service. When you say you weren’t, the scammer offers a refund.
Or the caller may say that the company is going out of business and providing refunds for “warranties” and other services.
In either case, the scammers eventually ask for a bank or credit card account number. Or they ask you to create a Western Union account. They might even ask for remote access to your computer to help you fill out the necessary forms. But instead of putting money in your account, the scammers withdraw money from your account.
If you get a call like this, hang up, and report it at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#&panel1-1.
Here are some of the organizations that cybercriminals claim to be from:
Windows HelpdeskWindows Service CenterMicrosoft Tech SupportMicrosoft SupportWindows Technical Department Support GroupMicrosoft Research and Development Team (Microsoft R & D Team)
Microsoft wants people to report these calls to them as well: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/getsuppor ... 024238475162706
If you live in Canada report the calls here: http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.c ... t/index-eng.htm
If you live in the UK report here: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ AND/OR here:
http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/index.html
Take the caller's information down and immediately report it to your local authorities.
Expired Windows Key Scam
Windows keys do not expire.
Report the scam to MS here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/getsuppor ... 024173417617423
A Personal Note Please read.
I've had these things pop up on my Google browser. Started about 3 months ago. It usually happens when I am trying to locate old Sims 2 files to download for my game and the site is no longer there. Basically they are using old dead URLs and redirecting. I have my browsers (I use 2 different ones) to block pop ups. The most common one I've seen is a fake blue screen of death and a popup that says something has gone wrong with your pc blah blah blah call this number and when you try to close the popup so you can close the webpage it pops right back up. There is, however, a little check box that only shows AFTER you've tried to close the popup that you can tick and will prevent it from popping up again and you can close the webpage. The check box is at the bottom where it can't be seen until you scroll down on the popup.
This is NOT Microsoft doing this.
These scammers have also found a way to do this via Google ads. Found that out because it was happening to some of the regulars on my regular forum. Basically Google hadn't vetted the ads properly. The forum owner has taken care of the situation by notifying Google and providing them with as much info as possible from those it was happening to.
Whatever you do, if you get one of those popups, DO NOT CALL. It is NOT a Microsoft support number. It's an old scam with some new tricks. Clear your browser of all cookies, history, temp files etc. Run your anti-malware (Malwarebytes is best and free for personal use) and anti-virus, then do yourself a big favor and run cleanup and defrag. You should run clean up and defrag at least once a week, especially if you surf the net a lot.