AG warns of ‘Tech support scam’

Posted 11/27/14

After receiving multiple calls from consumers as well as the owner of a local computer repair business, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin is warning Rhode Islanders about the latest scam targeting …

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AG warns of ‘Tech support scam’

Posted

After receiving multiple calls from consumers as well as the owner of a local computer repair business, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin is warning Rhode Islanders about the latest scam targeting your computer and your bank account. 

Known as the “Windows Support Scam” or “Tech Support Scam,” consumers receive unsolicited phone calls from individuals posing as Microsoft Windows tech support letting them know their computer has “corrupt” files and needs to be fixed. The caller then walks the consumer through a series of computer commands, allegedly fixing the issue but actually installing malware or other software that allows the scam artist to remotely control the computer.  The caller then solicits credit card payment for the so-called fix.  When consumers question payment, the caller threatens to shut down the computer and will only unlock it when payment is made.

According to Microsoft, neither the company nor its partners make unsolicited phone calls to charge consumers for computer security or software fixes.

Kilmartin suggests the following tips from Microsoft to protect from these telephone tech support scams:

Do not purchase any unsolicited software or services.

Ask if there is a fee or subscription associated with the service. If there is, hang up.

Never give control of your computer to a third party unless you can confirm that it is a legitimate representative of a computer support team with whom you are already a customer.

Never provide your credit card or financial information to someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support.

Take the caller’s information down and immediately report it to the Consumer Protection Unit at the Office of Attorney General at 274-4400 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) or email at contactus@riag.ri.gov.

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