Windows 10: help for vulnerable person falling for Microsoft tech scam

Hi Guys

Hope you can help as I have a few questions, first what happened. My son 1 year ago, my son fell for the scam of " M/S infected pc" and he rang a number, they offered to help for £20 so he gave bank details and was scammed for £499 and a second time for £199 later in year, which I managed to claw back.

At the time, I did a reformat and got him back to normal, but 2 weeks ago, this happened. He booted up to find pc frozen, and a number to ring, he did this but no bank details given, just left him with frozen screen, so now my questions. After reading several Google reports on subject, it is happening big style and if the user gives permission for "remote assistance" apparently, they leave "something" on his pc to cause this freeze and promote their number to ring.

1-if I do a reformat to put it back to factory settings, will that remove whatever has been left on pc.
2-if I manage (and remember how) to clean it, is there any way the "baddie" can return remotely.
3-I can tell him how to change passwords, even get a new debit card, what else can I do.
4-I suppose it makes sense for me to apply remote assistance to his pc as we live 30 miles apart, any comment.

He is bringing his laptop here today, so any relies would be gratefully welcome, also if it helps, I do have an Hitachi 250 gb hard drive.

:)

 

Tech Scam?

Hi Troy,

If you did not initiate this request for service, then it's called a tech support scam. It's a strategy in tricking you to pay for unnecessary technical services. Microsoft doesn't send unsolicited messages or request personal information to diagnose and
repair your device. Any communication we have with you must be initiated only by you.

It's best to back up your files and get in touch with Answer Desk. You can set a callback or schedule a call on this
link. For your reference on what to do with these kinds of scam and threat, you can check the following
links:

• Protect yourself from tech support scams
• Tech support scams
• Avoid technical support scams

Feel free to post back if you need further help.

 

Scams using Microsoft

Microsoft has been warning folks about these scams for some time.

• Avoid scams that use the Microsoft name fraudulently
• Is that call from Microsoft a scam?
• Don’t fall for phony phone tech support
• Avoiding technical support scams

 

Microsoft teams up with Better Business Bureau on tech support scams

Source: Microsoft teams up with the Better Business Bureau to issue warning on tech support scams - Microsoft on the Issues