The FTC has been cracking down on deceptive tech support operations that call or send pop-ups to make people think their computers are infected with viruses. Scammers ask for access to computers, then charge people hundreds of dollars for unnecessary repairs. In Operation Tech Trap, the FTC and its partners announced 16 actions against deceptive operations, and the FTC temporarily halted the operations of several defendants.
Recently, a woman who lost money to one of the defendants in the FTC cases got a call from someone who claimed to be with a company the FTC sued. (It was a lie. In reality, the company has closed.) He said the company wanted to give her a refund. He asked her to give him access to her computer, fill out paperwork and buy a prepaid card. She knew that didn’t sound right, so she didn’t cooperate. And she contacted the FTC right away.
We’re grateful for her call, and want to share this warning: If you lost money to a tech support scam or other fraud, you might get a call from someone claiming to give you a refund, or help you recover your money – but only if you give them personal information or some money. Those calls are scams. Don’t give out personal or financial information to anyone who calls you, and never give them access to your computer. And then report the call to the FTC.
