Tech scams are unfortunately still an issue in 2021, with technological advancements leading cybercriminals to find more creative ways to gain access to your data or charge you for services you don't need. As such, it's important to be aware of the various methods that tech support scammers use to try to get access to your personal information.
The most common form of tech support scam is when a caller either pretends to be from a reputable company or creates a false sense of urgency (in some cases making false claims or warnings that your device is in danger) in order to get you to take some sort of action. In some cases, scammers might even offer to help "fix" your device remotely and then request access to the device and/or charge you for unnecessary services.
It is important to be aware of the various techniques the scammers use, so you can avoid becoming a victim. Here are some of the red flags you should be on the lookout for when it comes to tech support scams:
1. Unsolicited phone calls or pop-up messages claiming they are from a legitimate tech support provider.
2. The caller pressuring you to take action quickly or that your device will become damaged if you don’t do as they say.
3. Asking for your personal information or credit card details over the phone, or any other payment details.
4. Requests for remote access to your device, which will give them direct access to all the data on it.
5. Offers for “unlimited” technical support for a yearly fee, or for additional fees.
6. Unaffiliated websites or social media accounts that claim to provide tech support.
7. False claims, warnings, or threats from the caller.
To protect yourself from tech support scammers, never provide remote access to your device or personal information unless you are sure the person is from a legitimate source. If you suspect tech support fraud, hang up immediately, delete the message, and report it to the relevant authorities. Make sure that you also keep your devices up-to-date with the latest security patches and regularly run antivirus software to protect yourself from online threats.
This Cyber News was published on www.welivesecurity.com. Publication date: Mon, 23 Jan 2023 18:57:29 +0000