08/15/2019
Another scam warning: Big tech companies do not put a popup on your screen that tells you your computer is infected and you must call the number on the screen, not Microsoft, not Apple, not Facebook, not Google. There is nothing wrong with your computer. It’s a faux computer support web page that’s been inserted. Into your browser session by scammers. Closing the browser will get rid of it. If you can’t close the browser, turn off your computer and turn it back on again. DO NOT CALL THE PHONE NUMBER. Do not let anyone you don’t know remotely access your computer, especially if someone is telling you your computer is infected.
Your computer doesn’t tell anyone, anywhere that it is infected. If you suspect your computer is infected, call a local IT support professional. Don’t respond to a phone call or a popup that’s trying to scare you into making the call and allowing someone to connect to your computer remotely.
In one of the more recent scams the unwary computer user is told they need a firewall service to protect them. They want to connect to your computer to remove spyware and viruses and install the firewall service. The prices they quote can be as high as $800. If you fall for the scam, they will ask for a credit card number. When you give them the first credit card information they will say that it has been compromised and they need another card. They will repeat that line if they suspect you have more credit cards.
Please don’t believe any popups on your computer that want you to call a so-called support phone number. Don’t get scammed.