Windows 10: Phony Microsoft Tech Support Scam

DANGER!!


Almost as soon as I posted a notice pertaining to a performance issue in the M-365 Forum, I received an email from a "Richard Miller71" with the following text: Note the bad English, which should raise a red flag


We apologize for the inconvenience you have faced.please reach out to Microsoft live Agent Directly to check your ssue -{903}-471-8613




When you call that number, "Richard" tells you to call 1-866-256-1029 in order to be connected to the correct technician. But that particular phone number is associated with the "fastsupport.gotoassist.com" scam, which will attempt to install malware on your machine and charge you a fee for doing so.


So beware. Forewarned is forearmed. The scammers obviously monitor these forums in order to acquire targets.

:)

 

My Father-in-Law fell victim to the phony Microsoft Tech Support Scam. Did you?

Yes it is a common scam.

Unsolicited phone calls, browser pop-ups and
emails (aka
Tech Support Scamming) from "so-called Support Techs" advising
"your computer is infected with malware",
“All Your Files Are Encrypted" and other
fake "alert messages" has become an increasing common scam tactic over the past several years. The scams may involve web pages with screenshots of fake Microsoft (Windows) Support messages, fake reports of suspicious activity, fake warnings of malware
found on your computer,
fake ransomware and fake
BSODs all of which include a tech support phone number to call in order to fix the problem. If you call the phone number (or they called you), more nefarious scammers will talk their victims into allowing them remote control
access of the computer so they can install a
Remote Access Trojan in order to steal passwords and other sensitive personal information which could then be used to access bank accounts or steal a person's identity.

These are a few examples.

• Fake Your computer is locked screenlocker...contact a Microsoft technician
• Microsoft Help Desk Tech Support Scam
• Microsoft Office Activation Wizard Tech Support Scam
• Windows has been blocked due to suspicious activity Tech Support Scam
• Your Windows has been Banned Scam
• 1-844-879-7840 Suspicious Activity Tech Support Scam

The scammer may claim to be affiliated with Microsoft or
Windows Support. However, there have been reports of scammers claiming to be affiliated with major computer manufacturers such as
Hewlett Packard, Lenovo and Dell, familiar security vendors like
Symantec, Panda, McAfee, etc. and even popular
ISPs.

Microsoft does not contact users via web page messages, phone or email and instruct them to call tech support to fix your computer.

• Avoid scams that use the Microsoft name fraudulently
• Is that call from Microsoft a scam?
• Tell Your Relatives: No, Microsoft Won’t Call You About Your Computer
• Microsoft calling? Mind the tech support scammer!

Not answering any questions and hanging up the telephone is the best way to deal with phone scammers...then report them to the appropriate authorities.

If you are dealing with browser pop-up scams, closing the web browser and then relaunching it usually eliminates the bogus warning message and is the best way to deal with these scams. If the browser freezes or hangs, you may have to close
it with
Windows Task Manager by selecting End Task.

Scammers and cyber-criminals are very innovated...see
Tech Support Scams use new Tricks to Hold Browsers Hostage. They are always developing creative and more sophisticated techniques to scare their victims into providing personal information or stealing their money for financial
gain. The criminals can target specific browsers like Microsoft Edge,
Google Chrome, specific devices like Apple and even your
iPhone or iPad.

• Microsoft Edge...Can Be Abused for Tech Support Scams
• Tech support scams and Google Chrome tricks
• Scammers target Apple customers
• Fake iOS Crash Reports hijack your iPhone or iPad

For more information about how these scams work and resources to protect yourself, please read
Beware of Phony Emails & Tech Support Scams...there
are suggestions near the bottom for dealing with scams and a list of security scanning tools to use in case the usual methods do not resolve the problem or you allowed remote access into your computer.

Reporting Phone Fraud and Tech Support Scams:

• Reporting Phone Scams
• FTC Complaint Assistant
• Report a technical support scam to Microsoft
• How to Report the Microsoft phone scam
• How to recognize and report scams
• WhyCallMe Complaint
• How to report fraudulent e-mail messages that use the
  Microsoft name and logo
• Action Fraud: UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and internet crime

 

Tech Support America a scam!

Did you also report it to Microsoft? Please insist > http://support.microsoft.com/reportascam

Additional information that might be of assistance:

-
Avoid tech support phone scams

-
5 things you need to know about tech support scams

-
Tech Support Scams – Help & Resource Page

-
PSA: Tech Support Scams Pop-Ups on the Rise

-
Microsoft takes action against tech support scammers

-
Beware of Phony Tech Support Scams

-
File a complaint with the BBB

 

Microsoft Technician Scams

Some related and official Microsoft articles:

• Protect yourself from tech support scams
  
• Tech support scams
  
• www.microsoft.com/reportascam
  

Other non-Microsoft, but very good articles worth reading:

• Tech support scams: help and resource page - Malwarebytes Labs:
• Beware of Phony Tech Support Scams