#1) Microsoft Partners
This is the most common scam that has been running. It is deployed in two ways; the first is through ad 's on web searches, usually the top few listings on a Google search, say for recipes. When you click on these they may open a full web page that includes a script (a small program) that opens, telling you your computer is infected or that you have X amount of errors on your computer and to phone an 800- xxx-xxxx , or they will simply cold call your home and say that they detected problems with your Windows.
They will get you to allow remote access to your computer, then they will run a very short disc clean-up, install either, inexpensive or free software (not usually very affective) to clean or protect your computer. At this point they may or may not shutdown some windows services that restrict usability of you computer and bill you from $80-$350. Most people will stop payment at this point, in which case they will phone and harass you for payment.
The best way to deal with this scam is to "Just say no!". If you clicked on the ad in a search or a link, just hold your power button on the computer until it completely shuts down, restart the computer, before going on the internet, do a complete disc clean checking all the boxes and then restart the computer. If you are unsure that that removed the ad, take it to a reputable place for service ie. Powers Enterprises.
#2) Fishing scams
Any time you get an Email, that says there is a problem with your account and they ask you for your username and password, delete it immediately!
If Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple or your bank inform you of an issue with your account, they will already know your username and most likely refer to it in any correspondence. If they include a link to a Login page, make sure it has "https://" (the s is for secure) and that you recognize the rest of the address. An example of a fishing page could look like "http://googlelogin.annes.com". Notice part of the address has something unfamiliar and it is not "https".
This is the most common scam that has been running. It is deployed in two ways; the first is through ad 's on web searches, usually the top few listings on a Google search, say for recipes. When you click on these they may open a full web page that includes a script (a small program) that opens, telling you your computer is infected or that you have X amount of errors on your computer and to phone an 800- xxx-xxxx , or they will simply cold call your home and say that they detected problems with your Windows.
They will get you to allow remote access to your computer, then they will run a very short disc clean-up, install either, inexpensive or free software (not usually very affective) to clean or protect your computer. At this point they may or may not shutdown some windows services that restrict usability of you computer and bill you from $80-$350. Most people will stop payment at this point, in which case they will phone and harass you for payment.
The best way to deal with this scam is to "Just say no!". If you clicked on the ad in a search or a link, just hold your power button on the computer until it completely shuts down, restart the computer, before going on the internet, do a complete disc clean checking all the boxes and then restart the computer. If you are unsure that that removed the ad, take it to a reputable place for service ie. Powers Enterprises.
#2) Fishing scams
Any time you get an Email, that says there is a problem with your account and they ask you for your username and password, delete it immediately!
If Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple or your bank inform you of an issue with your account, they will already know your username and most likely refer to it in any correspondence. If they include a link to a Login page, make sure it has "https://" (the s is for secure) and that you recognize the rest of the address. An example of a fishing page could look like "http://googlelogin.annes.com". Notice part of the address has something unfamiliar and it is not "https".
Scams To Get Your Money