A resident of Northaven Park recently reported receiving an unsolicited phone call from a Microsoft technician claiming that her computer had a virus.
If you receive a similar call, hang up. Do not give the caller any personal information.
This scam or a variation of it has been floating around for almost as many years as the Nigerian money transfer scam, and it is still going strong.
How the scam works: A caller, claiming to be a representative of Microsoft, one of its brands or a third party contracted by Microsoft, tells you he is checking into a computer problem, infection or virus that has been detected by Microsoft. He tells you he can help and may direct you to a website that then allows him to take remote control of your computer. After demonstrating where the “problems” are, he will try to convince you to pay a fee to repair the problems. Of course, he will want your credit card or bank account information.
Do not provide any personal information.
Snopes.com has more information about the Microsoft Impersonation Scam.
Also see Scam Alerts from the FTC for phone and email scams.