Crooks have found a way to combine phone and phishing scams to get virus, spyware and malware on your computer.
Kim Komando highlighted the problem over the weekend on her show when an unfortunate consumer called in to report that she had been duped.
Here’s how it works:
Someone claiming to be from a legitimate company like Microsoft or antivirus provider AVG calls your home. They say something like, “Hey, we noticed that your computer is having problems. We can see it from our servers. We’d like to help.”
Some unfortunate enough to believe the cons will start a dialog with them: “Yes, I AM having issue with my computer. What should I do?”
This is the point where the super-friendly scam artist offers to take care of it for the consumer. All the person needs to do is boot up the computer, if it isn’t already on, connect it to the Internet and pull up a website. The crook will then get the PC user to enter a code or use some link so the crooks have direct access to your computer.
Instead of cleaning it up, they install vicious software that can steal your personal information.
You can read more examples of this type of scam at the Sucuri blog and at Microsoft.
The Fallout from Being Scammed
Since most consumers have issues with their PCs, it isn’t a far reach to believe it is true – especially if they identify themselves as technicians from a company you know. Technicians at companies like Dell will take control of your PC in a similar manner to diagnose or fix problems. If you have been through this process before, it is easy to believe a scammer who offers to do the same.
The problem is, once a con gets access to your computer, they take control of your life. They have access to all of your documents – including tax returns or other items that contain Social Security numbers or bank information. They can also get access to your email accounts, which crooks then hack to spam those people in your address book.
Many times, they will ask consumers to pay for this fraudulent computer clean up service by entering a credit card number. Sometimes, their “forms” will ask for those three important digits on the back of the card to “verify” it. Once they get those and the full number, they can use your card to go on a spending spree.
Some people have to close their bank accounts, change their telephone numbers and completely reinstall all software on their computers to recover.
How to Protect Yourself
No legitimate company will cold call you to help with PC problems. If you are having issues with your computer, directly contact the company’s tech support department. The same goes for software: If you have trouble with software you’ve installed, then contact the software company directly. If you cannot find the telephone numbers, then look on company websites, or call information to get them.
If someone at a legitimate company wants you to logon to a website so that they can take control of your computer, then make sure it is an HTTPS site – which is a secured and protected site. Most crooks don’t bother to institute HTTPS when they are running a scam. It takes too long and cuts into their profits.
If you don’t trust anyone using remote access to work on your computer, then take it to a computer repair shop. You may be charged for repairs that are not covered under your warranty. Be sure to ask around for references and check with the Better Business Bureau before doing business with a shop.
How to File a Complaint
If you receive one of these calls, get as much information as possible from the caller before you hang up. Report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center and your local FBI office. Also, contact local law enforcement so they can notify the media.