I would never have imagined that so many of my clients could be scammed this way. This Fake Tech Support scam is quickly becoming the number one issue that I deal with.
Below are a few ways to tell if you are about to be scammed by a notification on your computer. These are ALWAYS FAKE:
- There is a Phone number shown in the notification, along with a plea for you to call immediately.
- You can’t get rid of the notification.
- There are sirens or someone speaking, and you can’t stop it.
Here is what you should do if you see such a notification on your computer.
- Hold the power button down for 5 seconds, then release it. This will force the computer to shut down.
- Then press the power button and start it up normally.
- Once it is started, open Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or whichever browser you normally use.
- If the notice returns, shut the computer down again and call me.
- If it does not, you are good to go.
WHAT YOU SHOULD NEVER DO, IS CALL THE NUMBER.
So, what are these notices anyway? How do the scammers get them on our computers?
Simply stated they are nothing more than a webpage pop-up notification and some fancy scripting to prevent you from closing them. They are the result of a hacked webpage or scammer advertisement placed on the webpage you went to.
Typically, you see these notices when you have a typo in a web address you entered. Many scammers buy website names that are typical typos for popular websites. As an example, I recently tried to go to my Medicare Advantage benefits webpage and I typed in the address incorrectly. BAM!!! I was on scammer website.
Bottom line:
NEVER call any phone number.
If you are unsure about what you are seeing on your computer, call me or someone you know and trust.