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Keeping up with IT support scams

We are strictly Business to Business only. We don’t call any individuals offering Tech Support or take credit card payments via phone.

Here are few tips how to prevent from Fraudulent Callers:

What are tech support scams and how to identify them?

  • Technical support scams involve social engineering attacks in which scammers pretend to be technical support agents by contacting users via pop-ups or emails on a website, phone calls, or emails.
  • Fraudsters want to trick you into thinking you have serious computer problems, such as a virus. They want to charge you for support services you don’t need, to fix a problem that doesn’t exist.
  • Scammers tend to use a variety of tactics to steal money, obtain sensitive personal information, and/or gain access to the user’s device.
  • You are often asked to pay by wiring money, using a gift card, prepaid card, or cash reload card, or using a money transfer app since those types of payments are harder to reverse.

How do I protect myself against tech support scams?

  • Users are often asked to call a toll-free number or are contacted via spoofed numbers of legitimate companies in these scams.
  • The scammers emphasize the urgency to convince users to act before thinking.
  • The companies that provide technical support for Android devices, such as Microsoft, Apple, or Google, do not notify individual users that their device has been infected.
  • It is strongly advised that users do not give access to their devices or financial information to anyone they do not know and whose identity has not been verified.
  • Consider visiting official company websites when purchasing anti-virus software.

What to do if you think there is actually a problem with your computer?

  • If you suspect that your computer is having problems, run a scan and update your security software.
  • Ask someone you trust for help if you need to fix a problem. Support is usually available online or by phone with most software companies.

What to do if you were scammed?

  • It may be possible to stop a credit or debit card transaction if you paid a tech support scammer with it. You should contact your credit card company or bank right away and ask them if they can reverse the charges.
  • In the event you paid a scammer with a gift card, contact the company that issued the card right away. You can tell them you paid someone with the gift card and ask them if they can refund your money.
  • Your computer security software needs to be updated if a scammer gained remote access to your computer. Perform a scan, and delete any problems it identifies.
  • If you gave your user name and password to a tech support scammer, change your password immediately. If you use the same password for other accounts or sites, make sure you change it there as well.
  • If you provided sensitive information, such as personally identifiable information, visit https://identitytheft.gov to report identity theft and receive guidance on a recovery plan.
  • In addition, place a credit freeze on your credit profile to prevent anyone from opening a new credit account using your information. For instructions on how to place a credit freeze, review the NJCCIC informational report, Freezing Your Credit.

Where do I report tech support scams?