Windows 10: I think I may have been scammed twice!

I had gotten the malware pop up that spoofs being from Microsoft and it tells you to call a number. Without verification I called. I noticed that the man wanted me to download something on my computer so I did and I realized he was lying to me. I uninstalled the program and hung up and I tried to call Microsoft but I think I got scammed again. The representative gave me his name some sort of ticket # and his employee id after I asked and told me my computer was compromised and that he’d help me fix it and that Microsoft would email in about a week. I don’t know what’s real or not anymore. Also

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Do you think this was a Scam or Not?

Hi, this is a definitely a tech support scam. Microsoft (or any other legitimate company) will never lock up your computer with a popup banner asking you to contact them for assistance.



If it ever happens again, to kill the stuck browser process, do whichever of the following works:

• Press F11 to exit the browser from full screen mode, then close the tab
  
• Press Alt + F4 (until the browser process is terminated)
  
• Press Ctrl + Shift + Escape to open Task Manager, locate the browser processes and right click End Task
  
• Hold the power button down until your computer turns off (this will always work)
  

After that, clear your browser's cache



For Edge, enter edge://settings/clearBrowserData into the URL bar. Select the first three options then press Clear now



For Chrome, refer to Clear cache & cookies - Computer - Google Account Help



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To minimize the likelihood of this happening again, install an Adblocker. I recommend uBlock Origin



uBlock Origin - Microsoft Edge Addons

Suggested reading:

• Protect yourself from tech support scams (microsoft.com)
  
• Microsoft-Report a technical support scam
  

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Make sure you remove any software they had you install. or System Restore to a point before the scam.

 

Scam Alert

Suggest reading/watching:.

• Beware of Phony Tech Support Scams
• Protect yourself from tech support scams

 

security scam?

Yes. That's a scam which is going on since many many years.

Suggestion to read:

• Beware of Phony Emails & Tech Support Scams

• https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/threats/support-scams

• Avoiding technical support scams
• Tech Support Scams – Help & Resource Page
• Best Practices for Safe Computing - Prevention of Malware Infection