Microsoft support scams are probably the oldest type of online scam, and they are just as dangerous as they were a decade ago, perhaps even more so now as scammers have access to better technology, AI tools, and advanced hardware. We’ve reported on countless numbers of these scams, but “Bob” from Washington, DC forwarded a new case we’d like to share with you. This particular scam uses Google search results to redirect you to scammers instead of Microsoft customer support.
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A woman faces a Microsoft support scam (Curt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
How a Microsoft Support Scammer Stole Nearly $14,000
Bob reported in the email that he and his wife had lost access to their Microsoft Exchange email service. He searched Google for Microsoft support and called a number he found, which connected him to a technician. Then he allowed him to access his computer.
“After running a ‘security’ scan for a few hours they told us that they had discovered that other IP addresses were trying to get into our system. Being suspicious I asked them for their ID number and their supervisor’s contact information. Called them.” Superior’ who asked me all the ‘right questions’ and confirmed that the technician I was speaking to was legitimate,” Bob wrote.
The technician then claimed to freeze Bob’s account and told him that a suspicious IP address had attempted to withdraw money from his bank account.
When Bob asked if he should contact the bank about the issue, the technician told him, “Don’t do that. We want to set up a sting and catch them red-handed. We believe There’s an employee who’s leaking customer information, and we don’t want you to betray them.”
Bob continued, “Now across the country, I believe there are probably over 100,000 employees at my bank. What are the chances that I would alert a crooked bank employee? Then he said we needed to access our account. Allow us to ‘borrow’ $14,000.” And set up a sting in South Carolina where police are already waiting to catch the crook.”
The technician, who was clearly a scammer by this point, also promised Bob a $500 reward. But when Bob asked about his original request to restore the email account, the scammer replied that the IT team would handle it later. Realizing it was a scam, Bob and his wife stopped the call.
A woman carrying a Microsoft laptop (Curt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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Scammers often take advantage of search engines like Google by creating fake websites or advertisements that mimic legitimate Microsoft support pages. When users like Bob search for “Microsoft support” or “Microsoft customer service,” they may inadvertently click on one of these fraudulent links that appear at the top of the search results. These fake pages display phone numbers that look official but actually connect users to scammers posing as Microsoft technicians.
Once you’re on the phone, scammers use scare tactics to gain access to your computer and personal information, such as claiming suspicious activity on your account. In Bob’s case, he called what he thought was a Microsoft support number, but it was actually a scammer who tricked him into allowing access to his computer.
A woman working on her laptop (Curt “Cyberguy” Knutson)
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5 Ways to Protect Yourself from Microsoft Support Scams
Microsoft scams are becoming more sophisticated by the day, but you are not innocent. Here are some ways to protect yourself from Microsoft support scams:
1) Verify contact information: Always use the official contact information from Microsoft’s official website. Microsoft does not provide support through unsolicited calls or pop-ups.
2) Be careful of search results: Be wary of search engine results or ads that appear too good to be true. Use official websites and contact numbers to access support.
3) Check for red flags: Scammers often use urgent language or threats to create a feeling of panic. Be suspicious if you are pressured to do a task quickly or if the person asks for remote access to your computer.
4) Invest in personal data removal services: Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods of obtaining personal information. They often scour the web for publicly available data, combining details from a variety of sources to create targeted data. phishing attacksThese personalized scams can be worryingly credible, making it important to limit the amount of personal information accessible online. Check out my top picks for data removal services here,
5) Have strong antivirus software: If you have strong antivirus software installed on your device, it can protect you from visiting harmful websites on the internet that may mimic those of a company like Microsoft. Antivirus software also helps you avoid opening malicious attachments or links.
Although no service promises to remove all of your data from the Internet, a removal service is great to have if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites over a long period of time. Get my picks for the Best 2024 Antivirus Security winners for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices,
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Kurt’s highlights
This Microsoft support scam is a reminder to check who you’re dealing with before sharing any personal information. Scammers are becoming more clever, they are using fake support numbers that come up in your search results to trick you into giving them access to your computer or bank details. To be safe, use the official contact information from Microsoft’s website, don’t be suspicious of urgent or unexpected calls, and keep an eye out for red flags.
Have you ever encountered a Microsoft support scam or any other similar scam? How did you handle it? Let us know by writing here cyberguy.com/contact,
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