Technical Support Warning

Avoid tech support phone scams

In recent weeks at Micro Plus Computers we have received lots of phone calls from worried customers that have received calls from crooks claiming to be Microsoft.

If you receive a call from a company claiming to be Microsoft then we recommend that you hang up immediately.  Microsoft will never phone you to charge you for a computer-fix.

If you are worried that you may have been affected then we recommend that you bring your computer in to any branch of Micro Plus Computers as soon as possible to be checked.  

We have found that approximately 75% of the PCs brought to us recently by customers worried about this had actually been infected by malware.

For more information, please read through the following report….

Microsoft warning for technical support scams

The crooks are cold-calling people at their homes and claiming to calling on behalf of Microsoft and telling people that they have detected a problem with their computer and offering to fix it remotely.

This scam is very widespread and is carried out worldwide; it is claimed that up to 16% of computer users could have been affected by this scam.  

Many people are tricked into following the scammers’ instructions which include allowing them to have remote access control over their computer, telling the user to download some software or directing them to a website to make a purchase.

Once the crooks have remote access to the computer they are able to steal bank details, credit card details, passwords and other sensitive personal information.  Even if they don’t steal this information immediately, they can install malware which resides in the computer gathering information over a longer term and feeding it back to the scammers.  They can also change settings to leave your computer vulnerable to future attacks.

Microsoft said that in their survey, 79% of those tricked suffered financial loss – the average loss was £542.

Microsoft said if someone claiming to be from Windows or Microsoft Tech Support calls you: "Do not purchase any software or services. Ask if there is a fee or subscription associated with the 'service'. If there is, hang up."  

Also, they advised anyone who had already fallen for such a scam to change their passwords, have their machines checked for malware and contact their bank and credit card providers.

At Micro Plus Computers we recommend that if you receive an unsolicited call then hang up straight away.  Don’t worry about offending anyone.

If you think you or anyone you know may have been affected by one of these scams then please bring your computer in to Micro Plus as soon as possible to be checked - we offer our customers a ‘peace-of-mind' security scan for just £25.  

If your system has been infected by spyware then it would typically cost a total of £50-£75 to make it safe again depending on the severity of the infection.  

In the meantime don’t use your credit card online or carry out any online banking – your personal details could be at risk.

Other information you should be aware of:

1) Microsoft does not make unsolicited phone calls (also known as cold calls) to charge you for computer security or software fixes.

2) Cybercriminals often use publicly available phone directories so they might know your name and other personal information when they call you. They might even guess what operating system you're using.

3) Once they've gained your trust, they might ask for your user name and password or ask you to go to a website to install software that will let them access your computer to fix it. Once you do this, your computer and your personal information is vulnerable.

4) Do not trust unsolicited calls. Do not provide any personal information.

5) Here are some of the organizations that cybercriminals claim to be from:

• Windows Helpdesk
• Windows Service Center
• Microsoft Tech Support
• Microsoft Support
• Windows Technical Department Support Group
• Microsoft Research and Development Team (Microsoft R & D Team)

6) Never give control of your computer to a third party unless you can confirm that it is a legitimate representative of a computer support team with whom you are already a customer.

7) Never provide your credit card or financial information to someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support.

8) Change your computer's password, change the password on your main email account, and change the password for any financial accounts, especially your bank and credit card.

What to do next

If you think you may have been affected we recommend that you bring your computer in to any branch of Micro Plus as soon as possible.  Usually we will need your computer for approximately 2-3 days to carry out full security checks.

If you need any other information, please feel free to call us on any of the following numbers:

Oswestry (Maesbury Road) 01691 670960

Oswestry (Town Centre) 01691 656875

Wrexham (Chester Street) 01978 313242

Click here for branch locations and maps

Micro Plus Computers have showrooms, stores and technical workshops in Oswestry, Shropshire and Wrexham, North Wales.  We are open 6 days a week, Monday to Saturday and always have staff on hand ready to give you the right advice.

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