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The FBI is warning people to be aware of the threat of tech support fraud, in which criminals pose as support staff from computer or software companies and try to trick unsuspecting computer users into giving up access to their bank accounts.
The FBI’s public service announcement warns that there have recently been instances across the United States of scammers posing as technical support service representatives from software companies or computer repair services in attempts to trick victims into following instructions.
They contact victims via phishing email or by phone, warning that an annual subscription service is due to be renewed within hours at a cost that is usually in the range of $300 to $500 – and that the victim should contact them if they want to cancel the payment.
According to the FBI, the scammers offer services “that would be found at major electronic retail chains that sell electronics, computers and other digital devices.”
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These false alerts may include, among other things, claims that Microsoft Office is about to expire, or an anti-virus software subscription needs to be renewed.
The scammers do not know which software the victim is subscribed to, but by convincing the victim that they will lose a significant amount of money due to some accidental subscription, the aim is to scare them into contacting the fake support scheme to cancel. it, either by contacting a phone number, responding to the email or clicking a link that claims to offer help.
After the victim contacts the scammers to explain that they do not want the ‘subscription’ and want a refund, the ‘support’ operator persuades the victim to download remote desktop logging software, to provide full access to their computer to assist the ‘technical support ‘ issue a cancellation and refund.
Installing this software gives the scammer full access to the victim’s computer and the attacker tells the victim that they will refund the subscription amount to their bank account, before prompting the victim to log into their online banking service to verify.
If the victim does this, the scammer sees their username and password and they can access the account.
Once this happens, the scammers lock the user out of their system or show them a blank screen to hide the next step, which is making wire transfers to foreign bank accounts using the victim’s account – a method used to help launder stolen money – or simply stealing. money directly from the victim.
The information accessed in the victim’s online bank account could also be used to commit further fraud.
These scams use a sense of urgency to panic victims. As a result, the FBI urges anyone who sees an email claiming to be urgent and related to a subscription or service renewal to resist pressure to act quickly, because it’s the sense of time running out that scammers aim to take advantage of.
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People are also advised not to be pressured into downloading software, especially if it comes from unofficial websites and links as this carries the risk of allowing cyber attackers to gain access to your computer or even install malware.
And the FBI stresses that people shouldn’t send wire transfers, especially to foreign banks, at the direction of someone you’ve only spoken to online or on the phone — especially since real banks will rarely ask you to send sensitive information via email or enter it into an online form .
“If in doubt, look online for accurate financial institution information and initiate the communication from your end. If you are called by someone claiming to be an official institution, look up the contact information and call back,” the alert said.
“Monitor your credit card and bank account transactions for any unauthorized activity and contact your financial institution immediately if you observe irregular or unauthorized activity,” it added.
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