Warning: Protect Yourself From Tech Support Scams

Warning Statement:

Beware of tech support scams! Never trust unsolicited calls claiming to be from reputable companies. Always verify their identity through official channels before proceeding with any transactions.

Today, I received a distressing call from an older woman who had fallen victim to a tech support scam. Here's her story and some critical steps to protect yourself if you find yourself in a similar situation.

The Incident:

She was contacted by someone claiming to be from a reputable company we all use offering a service update for a product she had ordered. During the call, she was asked to complete a bank transfer. To her horror, the amount on the screen jumped from $60 to $6000. (Hacker added 2 zeros as she watched) She immediately realized what was happening and hung up, closed her computer, and contacted her bank to close her account. The next day, today, she found her computer locked, and she couldn't log in.

Immediate Actions:

We gave her the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline number (877-908-3360). We suggested she call her bank for advice on what to do next and recommended contacting a nationwide chain of professional computer fixers as well as the following.

First 5 Steps When Realizing You've Been Hacked:

1. Disconnect from the Internet:

• Immediately disconnect your computer from the internet to prevent further unauthorized access.

2. Contact Your Bank:

• Inform your bank of the incident so they can block any suspicious transactions and close compromised accounts.

3. Report the Incident:

• Report the scam to local authorities and relevant organizations like the AARP Fraud Watch Network.

4. Seek Professional Help:

• Contact a reputable computer repair service to remove malware and secure your system.

5. Change All Passwords:

• Change passwords for all your accounts on a different device, prioritizing email, banking, and other critical services.

Probabilities of Outcomes:

• Not Losing Money: The probability of NOT losing any money is relatively high if the bank is contacted immediately and transactions are blocked in time. Quick action can often prevent permanent financial loss.

• Restoring the Computer: With professional help, the probability of restoring her computer to a safe and usable state is also high. Experts can remove malware, recover data, and secure the system against future attacks.

Additional Tips:

• Avoid saving passwords in browsers. Use a dedicated password manager instead.
• Always verify unsolicited calls or emails by contacting the company directly using official contact information.
• Use Active Antivirus Software: Ensure you have installed and regularly updated active antivirus software. This software can alert you to potential hacks and malware, adding an extra layer of security to your home system. Sophos Home ( https://home.sophos.com/en-us/download-pc-security?id=98304-28522) is an Anti-virus software that we can recommend, but there are others.

Remember 3 Key Passwords: You must always remember three passwords from memory, all other passwords can be stored in an encrypted password manager:

• Email Password: Once you lose control of your email password, you lose control over changing all other passwords.
• Master Password to Your Password Manager: This is the key to accessing all your stored passwords.
• Password to Log in to Your Computer: Ensures you can always access your system securely.

Stay vigilant and share this information to protect others from falling victim to similar scams.

Feel free to share this post to raise awareness and help others avoid such scams!

#CyberSecurity #TechSupportScam #StaySafeOnline #10DTech #ITSecurity