Spotting Tech Support Scams: What You Need To Know

In the digital age, tech support scams have become alarmingly prevalent. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) 2024 annual report, these scams accounted for a staggering $1.4 billion in losses last year. Older adults were particularly affected, with over 17,000 incidents reported.

Raising awareness and understanding how these scams operate is essential to protecting yourself and others from falling victim. In order to protect yourself, it’s important to understand how they operate and what to look for if you encounter one of these fraudsters.

Understand the scam

Scammers often pose as technicians from reputable tech companies, such as Microsoft and Google. They use complex technical jargon to confuse and convince you that there is an issue with your computer or smartphone. Following this, they may:

  • Request remote access to your computer, granting them potential entry to all stored data.
  • Attempt to sign you up for fake maintenance or warranty programs.
  • Install malware to access sensitive information, including usernames and passwords.
  • Ask for your credit card details to charge you for fake services or services that are available for free elsewhere.
  • Sell software or repairs that either are freely available or hold no value.
  • Prompt you to input personal information, such as credit card details or bank account credentials, on suspicious websites.
How to protect yourself

As tech scams grow increasingly sophisticated, staying vigilant and taking proactive steps to protect yourself has never been more important. By recognizing common scam tactics and adopting key security measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling prey to these schemes while protecting your personal information and devices.

Here are some tips to help you stay secure.

  • Never trust any unsolicited contact: Legitimate tech companies will never contact you out of the blue to warn you about computer problems. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately. Avoid engaging with any phone numbers provided in unsolicited messages.
  • Avoid granting remote access: Grant remote access only if you have contacted support directly. Scammers can misuse this access to compromise your personal information.
  • Use trusted security software: Use reliable and up-to-date security software to detect and prevent malware infections.
  • Don't pay for unnecessary services: Exercise caution when paying for tech support services, particularly if you’re asked to use untraceable payment methods like wire transfers or gift cards. Reputable companies will never request payments through these methods.
  • Verify before taking action: If you're unsure about potential scams, take a moment to verify the details before taking any action. Contact companies directly through their official websites or verified contact information.
Steps to take if you've been scammed

Realizing you’ve been scammed can be stressful, but taking quick action and following the right steps can reduce the damage and protect you. Here’s what to do to address the issue and regain control.

  • If you’ve accidentally shared a password with scammers, immediately update it across all your accounts, ensuring each one has a unique and secure password. Using a password manager can simplify this process and enhance your security.
  • To address malware issues, install reputable security software to detect and eliminate threats. If needed, seek assistance from a trusted cybersecurity professional.
  • If you’ve paid for fraudulent services, contact your credit card company to dispute the charges and check your statement for any unauthorized charges. Keep an eye on your credit card statements to make sure the scammer doesn’t try to charge you again.
  • Finally, report scams to the authorities. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and FBI’s IC3 rely on these reports to fuel their investigations, helping track and apprehend criminals.

Stay alert and informed to safely navigate the digital world and shield yourself from tech support scams. If you suspect you’ve been a victim of a tech support scam, please contact us immediately at (888) 858-6878. We are here to help you protect your information.