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Online Phone Scam Comes to Golden
Last issue, I talked about fake anti-virus programs and how to protect yourself from them. Well, the scammers have sunk to a new low. In addition to trying to convince people to visit malicious websites with clever e-mails they have taken to actually phoning people and convincing them they are from their "service provider". The caller directs them download a program that allows remote access to their computer. After gaining access, they get the person to run a bunch of commands and convince the user their security software is expired and they need to pay to clean up all the viruses and infections on their computer.
The purported technician then directs the user to a website to pay for the service. After getting the user to pay for the non-existent service, ($171.00), the person directs the user to download an Anti-Malware program. He then uses that program to erase his tracks and leaves the computer without any way to ascertain exactly what personal information he has stolen in addition to the $171.00.
The danger here isn't just the money but the potential for complete Identity Theft. With the information residing on "most" persons computers, an unscrupulous person could completely steal a persons on-line identity.
PLEASE, if anyone calls you regarding anything to do with your computer or your online activities,
VERIFY who you are talking to.
Ask for a Company name and call back number.
Do a google search on both the Company Name and the phone number.
Call a trusted person from your Service Provider or a Computer Company that you have dealt with.
DO NOT give personal or Credit Card information out over the phone unless you have verified the authenticity of the person you are dealing with.
If you or someone you know has been taken in by this scam, call the RCMP and report it. Credit card charges can usually be reversed if the Credit Card Company is notified soon enough, but the potential for complete Identity theft cannot be stressed enough.
Always practice Safe Computing!
I would like to invite you to visit my Website www.khtech.ca to explore my services and ask your question in the support forum.
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