Tech Talk

By Bob Dalles

Did you get the call? If so, what did you do? Did your friends get the call? If so, what did they do? Maybe neither one of you got the call… yet. What will you or your friends do when you get the call? Well, I am going to help you with this situation. This information can save you hundreds of dollars!

Criminals are working their way through the internet looking for people to scam. I personally have received “the call” several times myself. My mom received it last month. These scam artists will call you and identify themselves as representatives of a reputable company, like Microsoft, Apple, etc. The caller tells you that a corruption was identified on your computer. Then offer you a free scan of your computer to verify the corruption. Most people will be happy to agree to do this because it is FREE. For these criminals to run this free scan they must be in control of your computer. They ask you to log onto the internet with your computer, download a file and run it. The caller starts the scan. Now they have you. Once you download that file, you are in trouble.

You should be able to observe the scan from your computer screen. The caller will chit chat with you about the scan and then move the conversation to more personal information like your name, address, phone number and email address. When the scan is finished the caller will confirm that you have the corruption and assure you, they can fix it right now. Most people get worried when they hear there is a problem with their computer, so they tell the caller to fix it. However, now the caller proceeds to ask for credit card information because they were not hired by Microsoft, Apple, etc. They want your money. Many people will pay thinking everything is fine. Others will say no because they thought that this was a free offer to find and fix the corruption. If you refuse to pay, the caller may make threats like saying your computer is going to crash or you may not be able to connect to the internet. The file they ask you to download and run to scan your system may actually sabotage your computer. So, if you refuse to pay, you may have unknowingly introduced the caller’s corruption into your computer. $499.00 is the typical amount they ask for; however higher amounts have been reported. Here’s the catch: The scan to confirm the existence of the “so called corruption” was FREE, to fix the corruption will cost you. Here’s the BIGGER catch: you do not have the corruption they are trying to convince you you have. This whole call is a hoax. They want to scare you into thinking you have a corruption and offer you a way to diagnose it for FREE. And then get you to pay for the fix. Many people become victims of this scam. It has been around for a long time because it works and makes these criminals a lot of money. Now that you are aware of this scam, you will not become one of their victims.

So, what do you do when you get this type of call? Hang up. As long as you hang up before downloading and running the scan file the caller instructs you to download. If you have already downloaded the scan file, then you will want to immediately turn off your computer and call me at 727-534-4000 to check your computer to verify it is not infected or otherwise compromised. Until then, leave it off.

Are you certain your computer is safe? You don’t have to do this alone my Friend. My staff and I are here to keep your computer safer and keep it running. My team repairs computers and secures them, on our bench, onsite in your home or office, and even remotely. We have the best solutions already in place and we’re only a phone call away. Call us anytime at

727-534-4000. We’ve been helping folks restore their peace of mind, and sanity, with their technology for decades.

We Keep You Safer In Your Digital World!