Recently, a great many people have asked what to do if they receive calls where someone asks to connect to their computer to resolve some issue. the quick answer is: It is a Scam!
- Did you already sign a contract with this company?
- How do they know you signed onto your computer?
- Have you recently seen any suspicious activity on your computer?
If these questions create a long list of additional questions, please DO NOT allow them access to your computer, it is a scam. Please contact us first!
This is how it tends to happen:
You are sitting around, your computer is on, but not being used and the phone rings.
“Hello this is Peggy from Microsoft, I noticed that your computer has been sending error messages. There are problems with the internet connection or phone line and this has affected your computer’s recent performance. On top of that, the broadband connection has been hacked. May I have remote access to the computer to find out what the problem is?”
Your first thoughts should be… I don’t know anyone named Peggy. WHY are they monitoring my system, I didn’t hire them and if I didn’t, who did?
These are all valid and you are correct in being suspicious of this call. This is not a technical support service, already hired (such as Sandra Network) then the scamming call should be ended immediately.
What is the best way to protect yourself?
- Never give an unsolicited caller remote access to your computer. This is ALWAYS a scam!
- Never give your personal, credit card or online account details over the phone unless you made the call and the phone number came from a trusted source; otherwise, this is a scam!
- Receiving a phone call out of the blue about your computer and remote access is requested – hang up – even if they mention a well-known company such as Microsoft.
If you have questions or think you may have been hacked, or have given out pertinent and private information:
- Please call your financial institutions and have your accounts monitored or closed.
- Change your passwords for your email, login.
- Call us at Sandra Network and with your permission, clean out the machine of any suspicious activity.