Burnsville, Minnesota – October 27, 2015 – Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota ®
(BBB) is once again noting an uptick in reports of the “Tech Support”
scam. Generally, this scheme is perpetrated over the phone: homeowners
or business owners receive calls from ‘technicians’ saying there’s a
problem with their computer. But these supposed experts are only
interested in collecting credit card information or gaining remote
access to users’ computers. A newer wrinkle to this scheme involves
pop-up messages telling people their computer has been infected by a
virus and they need to call the number on their screen for assistance.
“These
pop-up messages are often dramatic, using capital letters and
exclamation points, in order to get people’s attention,” said Dana
Badgerow, president and CEO of BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota.
“We’re advising people not to panic and not to listen to whatever the
message is saying.”
Based
on complaints in BBB files, it appears some of these pop-ups direct
people to contact companies which may provide some type of technical
support. However, if these companies – as many customers allege – are
the ones who make such warnings appear on users’ screens, via adware or
malware or spyware, as a means of gaining new business, that’s a
problem.
One
such company that appears to employ this tactic – First Choice Tech
Support, based in Boynton Beach, Florida – denied in a statement to BBB
that they infect people’s computers with any malware, adware or
spyware. Further, they claim their pop-up advertisements clearly state
they are advertisements and can be closed by clicking on an x in the top
right corner. However, a consumer who says they dealt with the company
recently alleges they had no indication the pop-up was an
advertisement.
“We’re
once again reminding people that when there’s a problem with their
computer, they call the experts; not the other way around,” adds
Badgerow. “And simply because you receive a pop-up saying your computer
has a virus that may not always be the case.”
No
matter if you’re confronted with this scheme via a phone call or a
pop-up message, it’s important to avoid allowing unknown parties to gain
remote access to your computer. According to Microsoft, anyone given
such access to someone else’s computer can install malicious software,
steal personal information, take control of the computer or direct
customers to fraudulent websites where they are asked to enter their
credit card information.
BBB offers these tips to avoid the Tech Support scam:
· Don’t trust cold calls.
Remember, computer firms don’t call you about a problem – you call
them. If a caller claims there’s a problem with your computer, hang up.
· Protect your computer. All
computers should always have the most recent updates installed for spam
filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a secure firewall.
· Don’t let pop-ups panic you.
Remember, pop-up messages can’t always be trusted. Look for an ‘X’ to
close out the screen. If you’re concerned your computer has a virus,
call an expert. Research businesses for free at bbb.org.
