Tech Support scams are one of the original scams of the 21st century. You probably have heard of them. That’s when you receive a phone call from a stranger or a recorded message telling you that they are from Microsoft, or some other high-tech company, and that they are calling you about a problem with your computer and for a fee they can help you fix it. Or while you are working on your computer, a pop up comes up on your screen, often dominating the whole screen, that tells you that you have an urgent problem in your computer and to call a number to fix the problem. Microsoft emphasizes on its web site that its “…error and warning messages never include phone numbers.”
This has been enough of a problem that Microsoft’s
Digital Crimes Unit (DCU) tracks tech support scams and cooperates with
governments to combat tech support scammers. As part of this effort, the DCU
has been conducting worldwide surveys to learn more about this scam. It also
takes complaints from consumers who report specific scam incidents. In a recent
blog post, Microsoft summarized some of its most recent findings.
The DCU has noted a reduction of tech support
complaints over the years from 13,000 complaints per month in past years to
currently 6,500 complaints per month. The 2021 survey found that fewer people
have been exposed to tech support scams than in its survey of 2018. People seem
to be more skeptical when they receive a tech support scam call or pop up. But,
if they stay on the line and engage with the callers, they are more likely to
have lost money.
The survey found that 3 out of 5 consumers have
encountered a tech support scam in the last year. 1 out of 6 was tricked into continuing
the scam, often losing money in the process.
1 in 10 millennials and 1 in 10 Gen Zers fell for the
scam and lost money.
Of those who continued with the scam, 30% had computer
problems during the interaction, 23% found that their passwords were
compromised, and 18% discovered fraudulent use of their credit/debit/store
cards.
The survey found that those who lost money were more
likely to engage in risky online activities and may overestimate their ability
to use computers and the internet. Victims tend to be younger and male.
The scammers have evolved their tactics over the years
from a simple cold call to employing sophisticated social engineering,
professionally designed pop-ups to look like legitimate businesses, as well as email
and search engine optimization technology.
Once they trick someone into engaging with them, the
scammers can insert malware that can steal personal information from the victim’s
hard drive plus charge them hundreds of dollars for a fake fix to a fake
problem. Some of this malware may maintain access for the scammer even after they
have disengaged from the victim.
You can protect yourself from tech support scams,
·
Remember, Microsoft (or any other tech
company for that matter) will not call, text, or email you to tell you that
there is a problem with your computer. If you receive a call, text or email
claiming to be from Microsoft about an urgent problem with your computer,
ignore it.
·
Error message pop-ups from Microsoft operating
systems or software will not have a phone number to call. Nor will the pop-up
make noises, have bold colors to get your attention, or have text telling you
to call the number to solve an “urgent” computer problem. Likewise, ignore
pop-ups that want you to call a number to solve an urgent computer problem.
·
Be sure that you receive regular updates
from Microsoft and other legitimate software vendors for programs in your computer.
·
Be sure that your anti-virus software is
working and is receiving regular updates.
·
Download software only from official
Microsoft partner websites or the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft wants to know about tech support scams. If
you receive a phone call, text, email, or pop-up from someone claiming to be
from Microsoft or another tech company about a problem with your computer report
it to Microsoft at,
For more information about tech support scams, check
out the following links,
Microsoft:
https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2021/07/21/tech-support-scams-adapt-2021-microsoft-study/
