Arieana, LLC

Business Consumer Alliance ("BCA") advises consumers to be on guard against tech support schemes designed to create a sense of urgency in order to con consumers into paying for software or services that are unnecessary. While these types of schemes evolve through time typically the ruse is carried out through deceptive marketing such as pop-up ads on computers warning of malware or viruses that lead consumers to call a number to receive “emergency” tech support. Or consumers may receive cold calls from someone claiming to be Microsoft Google or some other well known brand affiliate tech support provider warning of the same security threats and wanting to gain remote access to your device. The main goal of these schemers is not to help get the PC back up and running but instead they are trying scare the consumer into paying anywhere from $99 on up to resolve non-existent technical issues.

BCA offers the following advice if you are suddenly contacted by tech support or receive warnings on your computer:

• Hang up on unsolicited callers. If the individual claims to be affiliated with any business contact the actual company they claim to represent directly. More often than not you will find that the call you received was a scam.
• Never give control of your computer to a third party unless you have checked them out thoroughly and they have successfully provided verifiable information regarding who they are.
• Although your caller ID may display the name of a legitimate business be aware that criminals spoof caller ID numbers. They may even spoof a local number when they are actually in another country.
• Check out the company by obtaining a BCA reliability report. Also search online for information on the phone number that contacts you. This could alert you to a scam.
• If you are in need of tech support use the contact information on your software or receipt to contact the company directly and obtain support. Beware of crooks posing on the internet as actual tech support businesses.
• Contact a local computer repair technician for assistance.
• Never give your financial or personal information to anyone unless you have authenticated who they are and they have provided you with details of why they are requesting such information and how it will be used. This includes passwords and user information.
• Avoid wiring money or paying for services with prepaid reloadable cards like Green Dot MoneyPak or Vanilla Reload cards. If the offer is not legitimate there is typically no recourse to retrieve those funds.

If you have allowed anyone remote access to your computer run your security software to scan for any malware or viruses that may have been downloaded. Change any passwords you may have given out and update other accounts that you use the same password. If you have paid for phony services by providing your credit card information call your provider to initiate a charge back. Also keep an eye on your account for unauthorized or suspicious charges. If you have been contacted by a scammer or you have been a victim don’t remain silent. File a complaint with BCA to let others know of the scam. Also contact the National Do Not Call Registry to register your number. Do due diligence to research any business before you make a buying decision. 

For more information check out BCA’s blog  “Hang Up on Tech Support Scammers”.