These scammers often pose as representatives from legitimate tech support companies and contact their victims via phone or email. They may claim your computer is infected with a virus or other malware and offer to fix the issue for a fee. Once they gain remote access to your computer, they can steal your personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, or install malicious software.
Tech support scammers use various tactics to deceive their victims. They may display fake error messages or warnings on your computer, or they may claim your computer is at risk of being hacked. They may also pressure you into making a quick decision by offering a limited-time discount or threatening to charge a higher fee if you don't act immediately.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Never give remote access to your computer to someone you do not know and trust.
- If you are unsure whether a caller is legitimate, hang up the phone and contact the company directly.
- Install anti-virus and anti-malware software and keeping your operating system up to date.