Tech Support Phone Scams
Several of our clients have recently received “unusual” phone calls from cybercriminals operating phone scams. The callers claim to be from Microsoft, and then offer to help solve computer problems or sell software to solve a computer problem. Once the cybercriminals have access to a computer, they can do the following:
- 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.
- Convince you to visit legitimate websites (like www.ammyy.com) to download software that will allow them to 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.
What you should know
Cybercriminals often use publicly available phone directories, so they might know your name and other personal information when they call you. They might even guess what operating system you’re using.
Once they’ve gained your trust, they might ask for your user name and password or ask you to go to a legitimate website (such as www.ammyy.com) to install software that will let them access your computer to fix it. Once you do this, your computer and your personal information are vulnerable.
Do not trust unsolicited calls. Do not provide any personal information.
Here are some of the organizations that cybercriminals claim to be from:
- Windows Helpdesk
- Windows Service Centre
- Microsoft Tech Support
- Microsoft Support
- Windows Technical Department Support Group
- Microsoft Research and Development Team (Microsoft R & D Team)
Protect yourself
If someone claiming to be from Microsoft phones you:
- Do not purchase any software or services.
- 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.
- Take the caller’s information down and immediately report it.
- Never provide your credit card or financial information to someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support.
For more information about how to recognise a phishing scam, see Avoid scams that use the Microsoft name fraudulently.
