We know that scam artists use phony websites and email to try and gain access to your credit cards and banking information, but few people are aware the cybercriminals also look for victims via the telephone. That’s what recently happened to a Twentynine Palms woman when, according to the Sheriff’s report, she received a call from a man advising her that she had a computer virus. The caller offered to assist her with removal of the virus if she would purchase the necessary software, which she did. In a technique designed to gain trust, the man phoned several more times that week. What ensued was a number of confusing Moneygram payments and fake credit transactions. When it was over, the victim had been defrauded out of $7,500. The Moneygrams had been sent to India. Reporter Mike Lipsitz tells how you can avoid falling victim to cybercriminals…
Tech support phone scams are on the rise. A cybercriminal may claim to be from Microsoft, HP, or Windows. Once they have access to your computer, they can trick you into installing malicious software, convince you to download an app that will allow them to take control of your system, request credit card information, and direct you to fraudulent websites. You should know that neither Microsoft nor its partners make unsolicited calls to charge you for computer security or software fixes. Do not trust unsolicited calls. If someone claiming to be from tech support calls, do not purchase any software or services; do not give control of your computer to a third party unless you can confirm that it is a legitimate representative of a computer support team with whom you are already a customer; and do not provide credit card or personal financial information to someone calling you and claiming to be from tech support.
CYBER SCAMS TARGETING LOCAL VICTIMS
