Computer scammers are constantly working on new deceptive ways to get you to give your money to them, for the false promise of repairing your computer. Here are three of the most common forms of deception that Fort Collins Computer Repair, Computer PC Medic customers are reporting.
- Someone calls you at your home or office and tells you they are from Microsoft or a Microsoft Partner and have noticed that your computer has a virus or is having trouble operating correctly. Keep in mind, that NO ONE knows if there are issues with your computer or if your computer has a virus or if you even have a computer. These guys are cold calling phone numbers, hoping they will connect with a computer owner who needs a computer technician. These are professional, highly trained, scammers and liars, most often out of India. The best thing you can do is hang up! Do not talk to them. You just saved yourself between $200 and $400.
- During Internet browsing, some customers (including this writer) have had a full-page scare-screen overlay their Internet browser. These scare screens prohibit you from doing anything. One example is the fake “FBI” warning screen, which may ask for $300 so that the FBI will not arrest you for visiting child porn sites (a fake, of course). Most other scare screens contain a lot of “techie” gibberish with the goal to scare you into calling their phone number so they can “help” you with a computer issue. All of these screens are frauds. Do not ever call them. Reboot your computer to get rid of the scare screen.
- You have determined that your computer is not operating properly or maybe has a virus, so you Google “fix my computer” or “remove my virus”. A Google results page pops up with many ads claiming that a free download of their software can repair your computer. You download and install the software, only to see a screen reporting your computer has hundreds or maybe thousands of errors. You find that the software doesn’t help you but presents you with a phone number of someone who claims they will help. In other cases, the software loads a variety of viruses on your computer and infects it, rendering it useless. Again, never call the phone number. They are professional scammers and want your money.
In almost every case, the perpetrators (thieves, scammers) are the same crooks. Most of them are located in India, as will be obvious by their accent. Some of them will say they are out of New York and their name is Steve. Yes, Steve. What a joke. No matter what they tell you, they are lying to you, for the sole purpose of getting your credit card number and charging you for a list of non-existent services. It seems that these people find it easier to steal your hard-earned money, then to get a job and earn their income honestly.