How to Avoid and Report Tech Support Scams: Tips to Keep You Safe
Tech support scams are a form of online fraud that occurs when someone contacts you pretending to be from a legitimate tech support company, and tries to trick you into giving them access to your computer or financial information. These scams can be very costly and often difficult to spot. In this blog post, we will discuss how to avoid and report tech support scams, as well as some tips to keep you safe online.
What are the common types of tech support scams?
There are a few different types of tech support scams, but the most common one is when someone pretends to be from a legitimate tech support company like Microsoft or Apple. They will usually contact you through pop-ups or unsolicited phone calls and try to convince you that your computer is infected with a virus or has some other type of problem. They will then offer to help you fix the problem, but will actually end up doing more harm than good.
Another common type of tech support scam is when someone pretends to be from a company that you do business with, like your bank or credit card company. They may say there is a problem with your account and ask for your personal information so they can “fix” it. Or, they may say you have been a victim of fraud and ask for your credit card number or social security number to “verify” your identity.
These are just a few of the most common tech support scams. There are many others and scammers are always coming up with new ways to trick people.
If you receive a call or pop-up message from someone claiming to be from tech support, do not give them any personal information or money. Hang up the phone or close the window immediately. Tech support scammers often use high-pressure tactics to try and get you to act quickly without thinking. They may say your computer is infected with a virus and you need to pay for their service to fix it. They may also claim that your personal information has been compromised and that you need to take action to protect yourself.
If you suspect that you have been the victim of a tech support scam, contact your local law enforcement immediately.
You should also report the incident to:
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at – ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Microsoft scam reporting tool – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/concern/scam
- USA.gov – https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds
These organizations can help you file a complaint and get your money back if possible.
How to avoid becoming a victim of a tech support scam?
-Never give control of your computer to someone else unless you know who they are and trust them completely.
-Keep your anti-virus software and all other computer security up to date.
-Never click on links or attachments in emails or texts from people you don’t know.
-Don’t respond to pop-ups that say you have a virus or other problem with your computer. Instead, close the window.
-Ignore online offers to diagnose or fix your computer.
-Hang up the phone if someone calls claiming to be from tech support and you didn’t initiate the call.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of a tech support scam. If you think you have been scammed, do not hesitate to report it so that others can be warned and hopefully avoid the same fate.
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Thank you for reading! Stay safe out there :)”
