Currently, you should keep your eyes open if someone claims to be a Microsoft employee!
As the North Rhine-Westphalia police warn on Facebook, a large number of internet scams based on a well-known scam have been reported to the police in the Coesfeld district in the past few days.
Citizens in Olfen, Lüdinghausen and Senden received calls from fraudsters pretending to be Microsoft support employees. In three cases the fraudsters were successful and stole money.
The callers usually speak English with a slight Indian accent. They pretend that the callee's Windows computer is infected with malware and that urgent action is needed to ensure that it is not blocked, for example. Those called are asked to install remote maintenance software. This ultimately gives the perpetrators access to the victim's computer. The antivirus software is often deactivated and malware is reloaded.
Once the alleged repair process has been completed, the perpetrator demands money. There are cases in which credit card details have been requested and online banking has been manipulated.
There are also scam variants in which a message appears on the victim's monitor. It is claimed that the computer is infected with viruses and that you have to call a number shown.
What can you do?
- If you receive a call of this type, simply hang up.
- Write down the date, time and phone number.
- Report it to the police.
- Do not install any software that is mentioned to you!
- Tell friends and family not to fall for the scam.
You let the perpetrators onto your computer. What now?
- Disconnect from the Internet!
- Clean up your system. Use antivirus software.
- If in doubt, a new installation is necessary.
- Report it to the police.
- Inform your bank or credit institution immediately. If necessary, have the credit card blocked.
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

