Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams are a growing issue for consumers, posing serious personal information and financial risks. These scams typically involve someone impersonating a tech support professional from a legitimate, well-known company who offers to help unsuspecting victims solve computer-related problems like viruses.

The end goal of such fraud and scams is to trick victims, often older adults, into providing personal and financial information or allowing remote access to their computers.

The recent Geek Squad tech support scam involved scammers impersonating Best Buy employees. The scammers persuaded victims to provide remote computer access, after which they installed spyware and stole banking credentials.

While they all aim to exploit unsuspecting victims for personal gain, tech support scams come in various forms and use different tools of communication and methods of fraud. Understanding the different types of scams can help people recognize warning signs and protect themselves from these malicious schemes.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned the public about tech support scams targeting financial accounts using remote desktop software. Scammers are also constantly adapting their tactics, so staying up to date about the latest tech support scams is key to preventing a data breach.

Phone Call Scams

Phone call scams are prevalent, with many tech support scammers using robocalls to reach potential victims. Scammers then impersonate representatives from well-known tech companies or claim to be part of a support team that fixes computer issues.

They may ask for remote access to your computer or request personal information under the guise of verifying your identity. To protect yourself, be cautious when answering unfamiliar calls and don’t give out sensitive information.

Web Scams

Web scams often use pop-up ads or fake websites to try to trick you into believing your computer is compromised and needs tech support. To stay safe, never click on suspicious pop-ups or links in unsolicited messages.

These tech support scams cast a wide net and can be highly lucrative. One web scam generated more than $10 million from more than 20,000 victims. They can also lead to significant financial losses for individuals, with one U.S. couple losing $1.1 million in a web scam.

Email Scams

Email scams typically involve phishing attempts. Scammers send emails impersonating a legitimate tech support company or popular service like iCloud.

The scammers will often claim to have detected unusual activity on a victim’s account, then request their personal information or direct them to a malicious website. Always double-check a sender’s email address and avoid clicking on unknown links or attachments.

The No. 1 piece of advice government agencies offer to avoid tech support scams is to remember that legitimate tech support companies will never initiate unsolicited contact. If you receive a phone call or email telling you that your computer has been hacked or infected by malware, hang up the phone or do not reply to the message.

Here are five key tips to better protect your information and significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to a support tech scam:

Individuals who are less computer literate are particularly susceptible to tech support scams and are encouraged to exercise caution. Be assertive in your interactions and safeguard your personal information.

If you think you may have been scammed or are questioning an interaction, it’s crucial to act quickly. Take the following steps to protect your information and finances:

Expect additional attempts at contact as tech support scammers often share the database of information they collect. Stay informed, be cautious moving forward and learn from your experience to avoid future scams.