Tech Support scams prey on users by offering technical support or claiming to fix non-existent computer issues, often leading to significant financial and data loss. Tech support scams can be frightening and convincing, but staying vigilant and informed is your best defense.
How to Recognize a Tech Support Scam
Tech support scams involve fraudsters posing as legitimate technical representatives from well-known companies. They contact you via phone calls, pop-up messages, or emails, claiming that your computer has a virus or other serious problem that needs immediate attention. The calling cards for these types of scams include:
- Unsolicited calls or pop-ups claiming to be from tech support.
- Urgent language, such as warnings about severe viruses or system failures
- Request for Remote Access
- Payment Demands
Steps to Protect Yourself
Ignore Unsolicited Contact: Hang up on unsolicited tech support calls and close pop-ups or emails from unknown sources.
- Verify Legitimate Support: If you think there might be an issue with your computer, contact the company directly using the official contact information found on their website.
- Do Not Provide Personal Information: Never give out personal or financial information to unsolicited callers or messages.
- Install and Update Security Software: Use reputable antivirus software and keep it updated to protect against malware and other threats.
