Litchfield Police has been made aware of increased scams focused around unsolicated “Technical Support”. In the most recent case, the victim received a pop-up on their computer that advised them that their computer was compromised and to call a number to resolve the issue.
Please note, if you computer was having a problem it would not include an error message with a “Phone Number” to call. Additionally, scammers may call you directly on your phone and pretend to be representatives of a software company. They might even spoof the caller ID so that it displays a legitimate support phone number from a trusted company. They can then ask you to install applications that give them remote access to your device. Using remote access, these experienced scammers can misrepresent normal system output as signs of problems.
Scammers might also initiate contact by displaying fake error messages on websites you visit, displaying support numbers and enticing you to call. They can also put your browser on full screen and display pop-up messages that won’t go away, essentially locking your browser. These fake error messages aim to trick you into calling an indicated technical support hotline.
When you engage with the scammers, they can offer fake solutions for your “problems” and ask for payment in the form of a one-time fee or subscription to a purported support service. They also can ask for payments in the form of ebay gift cards, or iTunes gift cards.
If you suspect your computer has been infected with a virus or malware; take it to your local computer repair location. Do not accept assistance over the phone from those scammers.
John Brunelle 