Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 19:39:52 -0400
From: “Lee – Computer Therapy, Inc”
Subject: A word of warning about computer scams
First of all, this is not a solicitation for services but rather a word of warning to hopefully protect computer users from NEEDING service.
Today alone I have had calls from 4 county residents whose computers were displaying a warning message about possible security vulnerabilities, virus activity, etc. Each of these warning presented a phone number to call. One such number is 855-763-0456; if you Google that number you will find that it is for a variety of “technical support” companies. You will also find many posts that report these types of companies as frauds.
Once the computer user called the phone number, a person with a distinct accent (trying to be politically correct here) talked the caller through allowing a remote access, planted a small application on the computer, displayed error messages, etc . and then proceeded to try to sell the caller anti-virus and adware protection, computer maintenance contacts, etc.
I am not mentioning the protection software they were hawking but in at least one case, it was FREE software that they were attempting to charge for.
Should you get such a bogus warning message, before you call the number on the screen, call whoever you get your local support from to verify that you are not really at risk.
Companies like mine and Tritech in Siler City will often provide this analysis at no charge over the phone.
One simple solution is to use a system restore to return your operating system to a date prior to when the situation occurred.
Along these same lines, over the past months I have had customers (usually those in retirement communities as I suspect the fraudsters think they will be more susceptible) that have been called directly and the caller states that they are calling from Microsoft, etc .. The end result of which is a credit card charge for $300 to $400.
Bottom line is that you should check with someone that you know before trusting anyone to log in to your computer.
Lee Pollard
President
Computer Therapy, Inc.
VOTED BEST COMPUTER SERVICE IN CHATHAM COUNTY
(919) 932-4357 – office
(919) 218-8115 – Lee’s cell
(919) 218-5509 – mobile technician