Additional Information for Geek Consulting Services

BBB Tip: Tech Support Scams By International Association of Better Business Bureaus. July 20, 2020. For the full article, please visit: https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/16553-bbb-tip-tech-support-scams How the Scam Works: A call comes through on the Caller ID or a popup on the computer screen from someone claiming to be with tech support from a well-known software company. Microsoft, Comcast, Norton and Dell are all popular choices. The caller ceates a sense of urgency--the computer is sending error messages, they've detected a virus, or your computer is about to crash causing a massive loss of data! Rest assured. The tech support employee can fix the problem but only if they're allowed to remote access the troubled machine. Once access is granted, the caller will often run a "scan" and claim the computer is infected with viruses. The offer is made to fix and repair the machine for a fee. That may not be the end of the scam. If you allow remote access, malware may be installed on your machine. Malware often scans files in search of personal information, which scammers then use to commit identity theft. Tips to spot this scam: - Never give control of your computer to a third party unless you know it is the representative of a computer support team you initiated contacted with. - Legitimate tech support companies don't call unsolicited. A popular way for thieves to get in touch with victims is through cold calls. The callers often claim to be from a tech company. Scammers do and they can spoof official looking phone numbers, so don't trust Caller ID. - Look out for warning screens: Nearly half of tech support scams begin with an alert on the victim's computer screen. This pop up will have a phone number to call for help. Instead, shutdown the computer and restart it. - Be wary of sponsored links. When searching online for tech support, look out for sponsored ads at the top of the results list. Many of these links lead to businesses that scam consumers. - Avoid clicking on links in unfamiliar emails. Scammers also use email to reach victims. These messages point consumers to scam websites that launch pop-ups with the fake warnings and phone numbers. If you are a victim of a tech support scam: - Contact the bank immediately. - Take the laptop, tablet, or computer that was infected to a trusted local business and have it checked out. - Remove any software that authorized remote access to the device. - Change all of the passwords used to access bank accounts, social media and other websites that contain personal information. - File a report with BBB Scam Tracker and with law enforcement authorities, such as the FTC