Tech support scam – a new type of fraud on the rise

Whether computer, tablet or smartphone – we all use technical devices each and every day of our lives. And that is exactly what fraudsters are now taking advantage of in a new scam tactic. In what is known as the “tech support scam”, fraudsters contact their potential victims by phone, email, pop-up window or by redirecting them to another website. They then pretend to be employees of technology companies in order to gain their victims’ trust. The fraudsters attempt to obtain victims’ credit card information under false pretences, such as problems with a computer, or even get them to quickly do a money transfer.

06.11.2018 – Microsoft investigated the consequences and extent of tech support scams in an international study. According to the study, 63 percent of Internet users have already experienced such fraud. What is striking is that the 18-37 age group makes up roughly half of all victims. The reason may be that persons in this group use the Internet more frequently and take higher risks, overestimating their web expertise. Fortunately, only 6 percent of those surveyed suffered direct financial loss. This is attributed to their scepticism and mistrust of suspicious contact attempts.

Tips to keep you safe:

• Technology companies do not make unsolicited calls, so terminate these types of calls as soon as possible.
• Do not click on suspicious pop-up windows and do not dial any phone numbers displayed in them.
• Report fraud attempts to the police as well as to the company involved.

More information about the study can be found here.