Written by Amanda Coers – Brownwood News received a message from a concerned community member, telling us her mother in law (who wishes to remain anonymous) had recently been called by a person who claimed to be with Microsoft. During a 30 minute phone call with the individual claiming to be with Microsoft Tech Support, she was directed to a website and instructed to enter specific information so they could access her computer and run diagnostics.

The callers then asked her to pay for repairs with a $400 iTunes gift card. She hung up, but the damage was done. The callers had locked her out of her computer and renamed the admin username to “Help” followed by a phone number.

We were provided with the number: 855-532-1444 and we gave them a call. NOTE: it is not advised to call this number. A recording of that phone call can be heard here – with audio beginning at the 14 second mark:

 

During the conversation with the “tech support” a person named “Tom” asked me a few questions: Is this your personal or business computer? Do you do any online banking on your computer? Several other calls in progress can be heard in the background.

Then “Tom” told me “Your computer has a trojan virus.” This was interesting as he didn’t have access to my computer. He then told me to call back, or he would call me back in 15 minutes. It is likely the call was terminated after looking up my phone number and realizing I was with a news website.

 

Paul Smithson, of Apollo Computers, has over 20 years of experience in the technology industry and he says this happens all too often.

“We see it nearly daily,” said Smithson. “What they’re trying to do is get control of your computer so they can install their own software which will lock you out and then they’ll charge a fee to get rid of their software. They’ll claim they’re from microsoft or HP or Dell. They claim they’re a legitimate business.”

But Smithson says technology corporations never initiate unsolicited phone calls. “You will not get a call from Microsoft.”

Instead, scam artists call unsuspecting victims and direct them to websites where malware is downloaded. With that software download, the scam artists have full access to your computer, including passwords stored on it for online banking and other programs.

“They could do whatever they want on that computer,” says Smithson.

Anyone receiving an unsolicited call from an individual claiming to be from Microsoft or another well known computer company should immediately hang up.

You can report the call to the Federal Trade Commission: www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov

You can also report the scam to Microsoft: www.microsoft.com

Reports can also be directed to the Texas State Attorney General’s office:

Capitol Station

P.O.Box 12548

Austin, TX 78711-2548

(512) 463-2100

https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/

Unfortunately, some people are convinced these phone calls are legitimate tech support. Here are some next steps to take if you’ve allowed access to your computer:

  • You should no longer consider your computer to be safe or clean. The scam artists might have installed any number of programs, changed your computer settings, or even installed a virus. Shut down your computer and take it to a local computer repair service.
  • If you paid with a credit or debit card, you should contact your bank and explain the situation and request a chargeback. You may also need to cancel your current credit or debit card and request a replacement from your bank in order to prevent any repeat purchases.
  • Though it may be embarrassing, share your experience with friends and family in order to keep anyone else from falling for the scam.