Have you ever thought about the fact that YOU may be the weakest link in your security? We are all learning, to not automatically believe phone call information, or website information. The employee you’re talking to, or the website you are looking at, could be anywhere in the world, and the “helpful agent” could be drinking a beer while he helps remove you from your money!
I was targeted by this latest threat on the Microsoft Security Blog, from June 16, 2011. I received a simple phone call from “Microsoft Security” and if I had believed them, would have been a disaster for me. Posing as a Microsoft tech support, they wanted to “help me out”, by having permission to gain personal and financial information to setup and allow remote access under the guise of removing computer threats that they “found” on my computer.
We really need to just stop and think for a minute. Microsoft, or any company for that matter, (other than your virus protection plan provider) doesn’t know if your computer has a virus, and they certainly don’t know your phone number. When everyone else is charging for even a moment of their time, do you think Microsoft is going to give you free trouble shooting by remote access, by simply calling you? Our very nature is to believe the best of everyone, and it is obvious that these crooks are counting on the most vulnerable in our society. Yes, 85% of the people they call hang up on them… BUT what about the15% that fall for their scam? Truth is, those are the ones, that keep them in business, continuing to pry on the “trusting population” even more.
Remote access is commonplace. We know how to do it and we know to be careful when allowing it. Some major companies use remote access now to help their customers with wireless connections and setting up home networks. It can be a wonderful, convenient service. For those less wary the offer of remote access can appear genuine. Remote access is exciting, until you see your credit card bill. Then the fun is long-gone, and so is your money!
Currently, the scam is taking place in English speaking UK and North America. I was advised that my computers are infected, and they showed me some bogus errors, and wanted to direct me to a website, and walk me through making a purchase and installing tracking software. Of course, I did not let it go that far, but some people are reporting that the average loss exceeds $800.00.
This has been a huge and surprisingly successful scam and Microsoft expects it to get even bigger and spread to other nations and languages.
I proceeded to hang up on the intruder on the other end, but not everyone is that guarded. The Microsoft Trustworthy Computing Team did a survey of the involved area and discovered that out of 7000 people, more than 1,000 had received this type of call. Of the 1,000, 234 fell for the scam and followed the instructions. Of those, 184 actually lost money to the crooks. This means you have a 1 in 7 chance of being called. How do you like that for a phone campaign?
A problem this big requires that you be prepared ahead of time and stop them dead in their scammy tracks.
STOP PHONE SCAMS
Number 1 rule… Simply do not EVER trust unsolicited calls. If someone calls and claims to be from Microsoft, your bank, your credit card company, or even your utility company, always call them back, using a telephone number that you have looked up yourself. Never call the number back, that they provided! It may be okay to use a case number or extension.
Everything may be on the level, and everything checks out fine. We certainly do not want to “live in fear”, but some common sense needs to be utilized. So, the next time you receive an offer, check it out first. Either way it turns out, you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
To Your Success, Always…
Judy
27. June 2011 at 1:44 pm
Oh my, thanks for the heads up on this security risk! I’ll admit it – I’m more than a little paranoid about such things and go out of my way to avoid such problems. Even when I was in network marketing I had to repeatedly remind my representatives not to send me emails with either a blank comment line or (especially) “hi!” – because I just will not open those emails. Thanks for this important reminder.
Marquita Herald´s last [type] ..Continuing the Tradition – A Voyage of Awareness
27. June 2011 at 11:29 pm
Thanks for sharing this post, Judy. It is a must read for my wife. She would have fell for it, for sure. I am going to get her to read this as soon as she gets home.
Jaden
Jaden Daniels´s last [type] ..Global NPN Review
3. July 2011 at 7:57 pm
Judy, Wow! I was one of those who received those calls. Two times in fact! How did I get so lucky? The first time, the person got mad that I accused them of being a scam. The second time the person was very polite. I have to admit, I am probably more of a skeptic than most when it comes to stuff like this. Oh, and then there are the ones who say we have just received an inheritance! And it is from someone we don’t even know! lol I get those email 2-3 times a week!
Thanks for getting this information out there for those unsuspecting people who might fall for it.
Lynn
Lynn Jones´s last [type] ..Four Tricks for a Perky Facebook Profile Picture
4. July 2011 at 7:57 pm
Thanks for this, i appreciate your effort to write something about this security scams, let’s all be cautious.
adrian campbell´s last [type] ..Start Your Do-It-Your Own Music Marketing
14. July 2011 at 10:01 pm
Thanks for these precautions. It is good to be informed about this matter because lately there are lots of scams spreading in different social media networks..
Jeff
Jeffrey Sooey´s last [type] ..So just who the hell is YOUR life coach?
15. July 2011 at 2:19 pm
Hi Judy, unsolicited calls are very risky. You always need to take your time to think when you receive one of these calls. If you have a phone, you are exposed to these calls, and you need to have a plan to proceed. Thanks for sharing this useful information.
Melanie´s last [type] ..How guys love
29. August 2011 at 2:54 pm
Too many compliments too ltitle space, thanks!
17. July 2011 at 4:30 pm
It never ceases to amaze me that people fall for this stuff. It must work though as these scammers still keep coming. I don’t open any emails that don’t look kosher and if a site takes me to one of those “you’ve got a virus” warning pages I’m out of there.
Thanks so much for putting this out there again. We need to remind the more trusting amongst us to be cautious to a fault.
Great job!
RICK
Rick Lelchuk´s last [type] ..Know, Like and Trust… And the Winner Is?
18. July 2011 at 3:37 pm
So true! I think we need to keep an eye on our senior citizens, too. Some are not always “up to date” on the lastest scam. A 92 year old woman I know just recently connected to the Internet and if she received a phone call, would have fallen for it especially if it was computer related—in her own words, it’s all still a mystery for her.
Jason Mitchev´s last [type] ..Virginia Beach Dentist Choices Guide
19. July 2011 at 12:43 am
Great tips. I believe that we should all be careful when it comes to scams because we don’t know what other people can do to us, especially those people who are expert in scamming. I haven’t received any phone calls yet just like what you have shared in this post but i am glad that i have come to know about it. At least i know what to do now.
calyx´s last [type] ..- FREE DATING TIPS
20. July 2011 at 2:09 am
Thanks for the warning. These scam artists are professionals. They have tons of knowledge that will make you believe they are genuine. They also know our fears and concerns which makes some of vulnerable to such calls. I agree with your solution, and I think if we have concerns, we should be the one calling Microsoft.
Jones´s last [type] ..How To Pick Up A Girl
21. July 2011 at 9:12 am
This is great tips!now a days so much scam through internet marketing we should careful whatever we do,i don’t think so about the phone call campaign until now i am waiting i haven’t received any call,thanks for sharing this now i have an idea what to do now.
Irish Mea´s last [type] ..Everybody Lies: How can you tell if he is lying?
30. July 2011 at 7:17 pm
Your article has excellent advice and shows you care about your viewers enough to bring them this advice. Much success will find those that care for others above caring for themselves.
Recently I was almost taken by scam twice, First, I was sent a check for close to $2,000.00 with supposed secret shopper info. I had not recently signed up for anything in this area, still I thought maybe they just came across my old info. I Googled the company name on the letter head and called the number on the website. Turned out to be a scam. The head office did not know the origin so all they were prepared to do at this time was to inform those taking the initiative to call. Second was through Google Buzz, a link was posted that turned out to be bogus. Interesting how a company as big as Google did not catch on and terminate the link before it hit the public.
It’s our responsibility as business people and adults to protect ourselves and our business. Your advice is right on the money.
Blessings -
Terrific Tonya Heathco
National Seizure Disorders Foundation
14. September 2011 at 8:22 pm
Hey Judy, helpful story and glad you were able to keep from ending up with a diaster.
I keep in mind the simple rule, I never give out information to someone that calls me.
Liz
14. December 2011 at 10:39 am
Nice collection of information! This was extremely helpful and major make over plans for me. I always find my self re-designing my website with no clear goals or even a reason for the re-design other then I am bored with the current look. So here it is, helping me on an easy way. Thanks!