Hello, this is Microsoft Support calling here to help you with errors on your computer.…
You’re about to get scammed; it is an IT Support Company based overseas who are trying to con you into a support contract.
This scam has been running for a couple of years now. It’s still very prominent. We had a customer come in with this same issue at 3C’s, and they received a call from Microsoft Support.
For the average user who is doing their daily work and is suddenly interrupted by “Microsoft support”, the scam can appear quite persuasive. Our 3C’s team has talked to several people who similar schemes have scammed, and the approach is essentially the same:
1. They send you to a website to gain remote access to your computer!
2. They show you the event logs and exclaim how you have hundreds of errors!
3. Also, show you some error and warning messages!
4. They need to tell you that even a brand-new computer generates errors and warnings in its event logs.
5. They will then ask you for payment to improve your computer.
What you should do to avoid this:
Will Microsoft Support ever call you?
1. You will only receive a legitimate call from Microsoft or their partners to charge you for computer fixes if you’ve raised a support case with them.
2. How would they have your phone number?
3. Why would Microsoft be calling to tell you about errors, and how would they know about them?
How to protect yourself from telephone tech support scams
If someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support calls you:
If someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support calls you:
- Do not purchase any software or services.
- Ask if a fee or subscription is associated with the “service.” If there is, hang up.
- Never give control of your computer to a third party unless you can confirm that it is a legitimate representative of a computer support team with whom you are already a customer.
- Take the caller’s information and immediately report it to your local authorities.
- Never provide your credit card or financial information to someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support.
What to do if you have given information to a tech support scammer
If you think your computer, mobile phone, Tablet or laptop has been infected with malware, follow these steps:
- Change your computer’s password on your primary email account, and change the password for any financial accounts, especially your bank and credit card.
- Scan your computer with internet security.
- Install free internet security, for example, Kaspersky, Avg or Microsoft Security Essentials.
