We’re seeing a ton of tech support scams with our Lawrence, Topeka and Kansas City computer repair clients. We’re on the front lines of this battle every day, fighting for the consumer.
After fixing the damage to the computer (and the client’s emotional state), getting the money from the credit card companies is pretty easy. We might have to file an affidavit, but the client eventually gets the charges reversed.
Scammers realize credit cards offer too much consumer protection. This article from Malwarebytes explains some of the innovative ways scammers are getting their money. Among the preferred tactics are:
- Gift cards from companies like Apple
- Taking pictures of a physical check or asking for checking account numbers
- Sending a courier for a check payment
As a reminder, please don’t allow anyone you don’t know to remote control your computer. Companies like Apple and Microsoft will never call you about a computer problem. The same is true for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like AT&T, Comcast, Sunflower (aka Midco, Knology and WOW), and Time Warner.
If you get a message on your computer to call a special phone number because your computer is locked or failing, please don’t. It’s a scam. Please call us instead or use our DoctorDave iPhone app to take a picture of the screen and get a free evaluation of the problem.
Photo by 401(K) 2013