Avoiding Fake Microsoft Tech Support Calls and Scams.

Several offshore companies are purchasing lists of American phone numbers with your name and address from list brokers. Foreign criminals then call your home and pretend they're from "Microsoft." They say the reason for their call is that they've received notification that "your computer has been hacked by a virus." This is a complete lie. Microsoft has no way of knowing that you have a virus or have been hacked. These companies, several which are located in India, then take control of your computer, show you several innocuous system logs, and tell you they will clean your computer for $300. It's ridiculous, it's deceiving, it's a lie, and it's illegal. If someone calls you and says they're from Microsoft, hang up immediately. Do not trust unsolicited calls. Do not provide any personal information. Once they have gained your trust and have access to your computer, they can trick you into installing malicious software that could capture sensitive data, such as online banking user names and passwords. They might also then charge you to remove this software. Take control of your computer remotely and adjust settings to leave your computer vulnerable. Request credit card information so they can bill you for phony services. Direct you to fraudulent websites and ask you to enter credit card and other personal or financial information there. Neither Microsoft nor their partners make unsolicited phone calls (also known as cold calls) to charge you for computer security or software fixes. Here are some of the organizations that cybercriminals claim to be from: "Windows Helpdesk" "Windows Service Center" "Microsoft Tech Support" "Microsoft Support" "Windows Technical Department Support Group" "Microsoft Research and Development Team (Microsoft R & D Team)" If you think that you might have downloaded malware from a phone tech support scam website or allowed a cybercriminal to access your computer, change your computer's password, change the password on your main email account, and change the password for any financial accounts, especially your bank and credit card. Then see a local, reputable computer repair professional that has a real store to remove any traces of remote control software they may have left on your computer. "I received six phone calls about this Windows support scam. The man sounded like [he had] a Filipino accent and wanted access to my computer to repair the errors. I finally told him [twice] not to call again." She said the Caller ID on her phone identified the source as "Windows Support," with a phone number that had an area code of 425, which serves a section of western Washington State. "Due to my ignorance about this scam, I agreed to whatever she told me to do. I agreed my computer could be remote-controlled by a certain software called TeamWeaver, paid for the service through my credit card, shared my personal details and credit card info and allowed the so-called 'technician' to install software such as Advanced System Care 6." The scams are based on a combination of aggressive sales tactics, lies and half-truths. Callers pose as computer support technicians, often from Microsoft itself but also from name-brand computer makers such as Dell or large security companies like Symantec or McAfee, and try to dupe victims into believing that their computer is infected, often by having them look at a Windows log that typically shows scores of harmless or low-level errors. At that point, the sale pitch starts, with the caller trying to convince the consumer to download software or let the "technician" remotely access the PC. The con artists charge for their "help" and often get people to pay for worthless software. Frequently the software is not only useless, but also includes malicious Trojan horse malware that steals online account information and passwords. Home Computer Help, Senior Computer Help, computer technology articles, fix my pc for free, emachines support, free online computer courses, it support technician, computer problems and solutions, technical support representative, tech support specialist, free remote support, troubleshooting computer problems, pc helpline, free pc repair