Jim Rosica
As if we didn’t have enough grifts to be on guard for, now the scammers are using phony “tech support” calls, according to a Tuesday consumer alert from the Florida Office of Financial Regulation.
The con goes like this, according to OFR spokeswoman Jamie Mongiovi: The mark gets a call from someone “posing as technical support staff from a reputable company,” warning of some computer virus they’ve detected on the victim’s laptop, desktop, smartphone or tablet.
The spiel includes a stream of technical jargon to confuse the caller, Mongiovi says.
“The scammers will offer a quick fix by gaining remote access to your device,” she says. “They may also offer a fake computer protection program.”
Surprise: Both of these fixes “actually corrupt or disable the device so the scammers are able to extort money from victims, or may provide scammers access to information including accounts, passwords and personal information such as Social Security numbers and investments.”
Look out for these red flags:
- An unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from a technology company.
- High-pressure sales tactics to purchase software or computer repair services.
- Urgently asking for permission to remotely access your computer.
- Being asked for credit card numbers or personal identifying information.
- Requests for your passwords.
Generally, no reputable tech support worker calls unsolicited. Hang up and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you receive a suspicious tech support phone call, contact the OFR online at www.flofr.com or call (850) 487-9687.
