Beware of the Phony Phone Support Scam

Cyber thieves are constantly dreaming up ways to try to steal from unsuspecting victims. One scam that you should be aware of is the Phony Phone Support Scam. This is where someone calls you on the phone saying they are from Microsoft or your internet provider offering to help with computer problems.

This type of scammer will ask you to download software that contains malicious software designed to steal your information. They might ask to access your computer remotely so that they can fix your computer. Would you give access to your computer to someone you don't know? Let's hope not.

They might just want to gain access to your credit card by asking you to pay for support services. First of all, if you have a computer problem, find someone to help you that you trust. Talk to friends, do internet searches on your problem to see if you can fix it yourself, or find a legitimate local company to help solve your problems.

Sometimes it's really hard to tell the difference between a legitimate business offer and a thief. When you receive an unsolicited request to provide services, you should certainly be wary. Especially, if someone begins to ask you for personal information, like a social security number or a credit card number, red flags should start to fly. In this case you want to be sure of who you are dealing with.

In this type of situation just end the phone call. Don't get talked into something that you will regret later on. If a thief gets your information, that will certainly cause you a lot of grief. They will use your information for their financial gain at your expense. They will either keep your information for themselves or sell it to someone else.

If they've stolen your credit card information, you will need to notify the credit card company as soon as possible once unauthorized charges begin to show up so that the card can be cancelled. If they get your social security number, that is a much more complicated situation and can cause you years of problems.

Since the birth of the internet it has become a lot easier to steal a person's identity information. We hear of new scams popping up all the time. Be sure to keep you information safe. Microsoft will never call you on the phone and tell you that you have a computer problem. By the way, if you do receive a phony phone support call, be sure to report it to the authorities.

Source: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/fraud/phishing/Msname.aspx