TECH TALK With Bob The Computer Guy - By Bob Dalles Today’s Topic: I Think I’ve Been Scammed! Cybercriminals are using successful techniques in their quest to separate you from your money. I have been receiving an onslaught of calls lately from folks saying, “I think I’ve been scammed! What do I do now?” My friend Kathryn fell victim to a scammer just last week. She was minding her own business surfing the web when a message popped-up on her screen. This “official looking” pop-up message instructed her to call a specific phone number because she had “a malware infection that needed immediate attention.” If that wasn’t bad enough, she also found herself locked out of her computer. It was frozen. No mouse. No keyboard. She felt her only option was to call the phone number on the screen.
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Which she did. By the time those scammers finished with her they had not only taken control of her computer, but also convinced her that they could restore it to working order once she paid them $499.00. Which she did. These scammers called it a service charge. I call it extortion. Now mind you, Kathryn is a bright, intelligent woman who would typically never get taken for a ride by such crooks. But these cybercriminals are extremely good at what they do. They constantly hone their skills conning trusting people who think they’re in trouble. Why do they do it? Scamming people in this fashion has proven to be extremely profitable. Few get caught. Most are offshore. Your best
defense is internet safety awareness and developing safer online habits. So, what do you do if you get a popup on your screen that tells you to call a phone number or click on a link? Take a picture of your screen with your cell phone. Be sure any phone number or website address is readable. Do not click on any links. Do not call any phone numbers. Have your system examined for malware by a technology professional. Do not conduct any transactions involving private or sensitive information until you know your system is squeaky clean. What do you do if you receive a phone call from a stranger telling you that you have a malware infection or
something else is wrong with your computer? Immediately hang up. Do not engage them in conversation. If they call back, hang up again or don’t even answer. What do you do if you have already downloaded their software to give them control of your computer? Immediately turn your computer off. If you
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