How do the scammers trick you?
Scammers are highly creative about convincing you to let them “fix” your computers.
- They call you on the telephone: claiming that Windows has detected errors; claiming that Amazon has detected fraudulent charges; claiming that your anti-virus protection stopped working; claiming that your internet has been compromised…
- They pop-up scary screens that lock your computers: The screens say that you will lose everything on your computers if you do not call their technical support.
- They send phishing emails with links to websites, attachments, or requests for you to give them personal information about yourself.
What do the scammers really want?
The scammers want to talk their way into your computers. [They ask you to type on your keyboard, the windows key, “R” and what they tell you to type in]. Once they are in, the following describes what they do and their motivations:
- Show errors in the event log, for the purpose of upselling you an expensive “support” package. They want your money.
- Install snooping malware to harvest your personal data so they can sell it on the “dark web.” They want your identity information.
- Put “back doors” on your computers so they can come in later without your knowledge. They want to continue stealing your personal information.
- Transfer your email address book to their computers. They want “real” email addresses to scam other people, or to sell to other scammers for money.
- Change your sign-on password if you refuse to pay them. They want to hold your computer hostage, so you agree to pay their demand to unlock your computer.
If you have let a scammer into your computer, you need to have your computer disinfected by a computer malware removal specialist.
Who are the scammers?
These scammers are part of a large network of “cyber mafia” bad actors. Cyber threats are a huge multi-billion dollar “business” fueled by “scams in a box” run by the network of scammers. Because the thousands of scammers live in other countries, they have been hard to find and stop.
How to protect yourselves?
- Any call-in phone call that tries to scare you is a scam. Just hang up.
- Any computer pop-up that tries to scare you is a scam. Do not call their number. CALL LINDA FIRST.
- Any e-mail that asks you to click or give your personal information is a scam. Do not click or reply with any of your personal information.
- Check that your anti-malware software is current. Use the contact us link below if you need help with this information.
By not engaging with the scammers, you will save yourself money, aggravation, and the cost of having your computer disinfected of what the scammers left behind.
A STRANGER IN YOUR COMPUTER IS A DANGER. CALL LINDA FIRST.
My commitment is to protect your computers at an affordable price. Thank you for trusting me to keep your computers healthy and bringing you the best computer protection at an affordable price. Contact us [at this link] if you have let anyone but me into your computer.
By Linda Lindquist, June 7, 2021
