It’s easy to trust messages from tech support because they seem to be looking out for your good. But are they really from tech support? Scammers have pulled off successful scams by pretending to be tech support representatives using pop-ups with fake phone numbers.
Most of these scams seem to be successful because they scare you into calling the number given to resolve your problem. They manipulate you into thinking your computer and personal data will be in more danger if you don’t call. Here are some of them:
These usually have a red strip across the title to make sure you sense the danger of failing to call the number given below. Never fall for these fake warnings. The numbers belong to tech support scam networks who will do everything to get your bank or card details, then steal your money!
They will usually ask you to download and install something, which is the spyware they use to get your data. Deny any requests to connect to your computer using remote-access software.
Whenever you need to contact Tech Support for any issue, avoid Googling search terms like “tech support” and then following the top-ranking results. Scammers have their own fake tech support sites that are made to rank highly even on Google. While you trust Google results, do not always trust top ranking results. They could be paid scammer ads.
Tech support ads on social media are just as bad. Never follow these links. Instead, go directly to the websites of known and established tech companies for your query.
When you get a message from a company offering you a refund, you will want to respond to it quickly. The trouble is, it’s usually scammers trying to get your card or bank details. They may say they have realized you were overcharged, or that the company is closing down or any such reason.
Always pause to check if you subscribed to that service in the first place. If you didn’t, which is usually the case, then ignore it. Their goal is for you to give your bank details so that the refund can be sent to you. That refund will never come. In its place, you may start to notice charges from your account for purchases you can’t remember making!