SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is a volunteer attorney who provides free legal assistance for low income seniors in San Mateo County, California.

COMPUTER TECH SUPPORT SCAMS

March 9, 2019

If you need tech help with your computer, where do you go?

In 2018 the Federal Trade Commission received nearly 143,000 reports about tech support scams. This type of scam has been around for years. But one piece of information in the FTC’s newest Consumer Protection Data Spotlight was an eye-opener. People age 60 and over were about five times more likely than younger people to tell us they lost money on this scam. Although, they were less likely than younger people to say they lost money to other types of scams.

Most of us probably search online. But your online search can lead you to scammers who con you into thinking your computer is in dire need of repair. Their scheme is to trick you into paying for costly security software that you don’t need.

The scammer may direct you to fill out an online form and give your contact information. Then, a phony caller will ask to get online access to your computer – supposedly to check for problems. Once you have allowed access to your computer, the caller will show you fake “evidence” of viruses or other threats that, they say, had to be removed right away.

Then comes the sales pitches to trick you into paying hundreds of dollars for unnecessary repairs and maintenance programs. If you find yourself needing help, here are some steps you can take:

*For tech support, go to a company you know and trust, or get help from a knowledgeable friend or family member. If you search online for help, search on the company name plus “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.”

*If you receive a phone call you didn’t expect from someone who says there’s a problem with your computer, hang up.

*Never call a number in a pop-up that warns you of computer problems. Real security warnings will never ask you to call a phone number.

*If you think there’s a problem with your computer, update its security software and run a scan.

If you spotted a tech support scam report it to ftc.gov/complaint. And after you report it, use information from ftc.gov/passiton to inform your family and friends about what happened so they can avoid being scammed.