Tech Scams

On a regular basis I receive phone calls from clients saying they have received a phone call from someone claiming the clients computer is having a problem.

With no exception these phone calls are scams.

• How do you know if a tech support phone call is a scam?
• What should you do when you get a tech support phone call?
• And, if you let the tech support caller look at your computer, what should you do?

The Federal Trade Commission has an excelent article describing Tech Support Scams, and what to do when you get one. Visit and read the FTC's article at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0346-tech-support-scams or click on the link FTC.gov on Tech Support Scams

Professional scammers are very good at getting your money. But scammers have been using the same basic script for decades, and they are easy to spot. When I hear a person say they or someone "received a phone call", I know the person has been dealing with a scammer and from that point I can describe the conversation, what the so-called tech support person did, and how much they said it would cost.

One of my clients called and explained, his wife had "received a phone call."
He wanted to know if the phone call was legitimate.

He did not need to say anything other than "received a phone call" for me to know it was a scam.
Legitimate companies WILL NOT call you, unless they are a "managed service provider" (MSP) that you pay to to manage and monitor your system for you.

Another form of tech support scam comes in the form of a popup on your computer screen, or may cover the entire screen.
The warning will tell you there is a problem with your computer but instead of calling you, you will be instructed to call a phone number to receive tech support.

Yes, this is another type of scam.
Do Not call the number! If they installed this malware on your computer, you do not want to call them to provide tech support.

Call a reputatable tech support (such as myself) to check your computer, and as needed clean malware from your computer.

Sometimes correcting this problem is a simple matter of cleaning the web browser. At other times this scam may also be a sign of additional malware is installed and hiding in your computer.

There are legitimate uses of remote access, and remote monitoring of computers. Just be sure who you are dealing with.

Best wishes and safe surfing, Gary.