Technical support scams are a common form of fraud where scammers pose as legitimate tech support representatives to deceive victims into paying for unnecessary services or obtaining their personal information. The scams can lead to financial loss, identity theft and malware infections. Knowing how to spot and avoid such scams is crucial for protecting yourself.

How Technical Support Scams Work

Scammers use a number of tactics to trick victims. A common method is through unsolicited phone calls. The scammer pretends to be a technician from a company like Microsoft, Apple or Google. They claim to have detected a serious problem or vulnerability with your computer and offer to fix it. To do this, they ask for remote access to your device which allows them to manipulate your system and create the appearance of the problem they claim they want to solve.

Another common tactic is for a pop-up warning to appear on your computer screen. The pop-ups imitate legitimate error messages to fool the user into believing their computer or device is giving them a notification. They may warn of a severe issue or provide a phone number to call for assistance. Once you call, the scammer may request remote access or try to solicit personal information.

How to Avoid Tech Support Scams

1. Be skeptical of unsolicited contact. Legitimate tech companies will usually not contact you out of the blue to inform you of a problem with your computer. If you receive an unexpected call, email or pop-up message, DO NOT ENGAGE. Hang up the phone, close the pop-up, delete the email or close the browser tab. Do NOT click on any links.
2. Verify the source. If you think there may be a genuine issue with your computer, contact the company’s official support directly using contact information from their official website or documents that came with your device.
3. Keep your software updated. Regularly update your operating system or use settings to allow automatic updates. Such updates often include patches that can protect you from new threats.
4. Educate yourself and others. Keep abreast of the changing tactics used by scammers and new scams that emerge. Share this knowledge with friends and family to help protect them.

By staying informed and vigilant, you can be safer from scams, deceptive tactics and fraud. To learn more about how to deal with fraud and identity theft, visit the Cadence Fraud & Security Center.

Sources:

https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/small-businesses/cybersecurity/tech-support-scams

https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston/news/press-releases/fbi-warns-public-to-beware-of-tech-support-scammers-targeting-financial-accounts-using-remote-desktop-software

https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2023/PSA230718

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