- GRANDPA GOT HACKED
- Posts
- Your Computer May Be Infected (It's a Trap)!
Newsletter Topics: Tech Support Scams
🗞️ In the News: In our last issue, we shared the FBI’s 2023 Elder’s Fraud Report key numbers, and Tech Support scams were the #1 most reported type in both 2022 and 2023. Individuals impacted by these scams reported over $500 million in losses in 2023. What's worse, is that these numbers represent only a tiny percentage, as they account for incidents reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
👀 Today’s Focus: What are Tech Support scams?
A Tech Support scam involves a scammer deceiving people by posing as a customer support representative. Typically, you receive a phone call, a pop-up message when navigating to a website, or an email claiming that your device or computer is infected with malware or experiencing technical issues. Through these forms of communication, the perpetrator offers assistance to fix the supposed problem.
Engaging with any of these forms of communication or clicking on any of the links puts you at risk of (1) the scammer gaining access to your device or data and (2) paying the scammer for unnecessary service or software, among other things.
Example of a “pop-up” message:
Example of an email scam:
🚨Stay Alert:
Scammers often use names and logos of well-known companies to make you believe they are legitimate.
No tech company will ever contact you via email or phone to alert you of a problem with your computer. Think about it, contacting individual people costs money, why would tech companies that make millions of dollars per year contact a person to sell them a $100 service?
Pop-up warnings from legitimate anti-malware software or tech companies will never make you call a number or click on a link. Do not click on run “free” security scans.
Cyber Jargon of the Day: Malware - short for malicious software, encompasses viruses and various other harmful programs that scammers may install on a victim's computer to steal information or inflict damage.
😎 Grandkid Tip of the Day:
If you receive an email like the AT&T example mentioned above, do not click on any links or call the suggested phone number.
If you encounter a pop-up window, close it immediately; consider quitting the browser or turning off your computer if you're unsure.
When making online payments, use a credit card for added protection. You can always call the credit card company to dispute the transaction if the product or service doesn't meet expectations.
Beware of requests for specific payment methods such as debit, gift cards, or cryptocurrency; they're likely scams
The Grandkids!
⭐ Share a story by replying to this email! - If you or someone you know has been hacked or compromised, share your story! We are always looking to raise awareness within our community!
🚀 Sponsor a Newsletter! Do you want to sponsor a newsletter? Reply to this email to contact us.
Got this email forwarded? Subscribe below.