An expensive scam
Unfortunately, there are numerous types of fraud in the digital world. A common scam involves posing as an employee of a well-known technology company such as Microsoft and pressuring victims to pay money in a certain way. A man from Kaiserslautern recently fell for such a scam and lost tens of thousands of euros to fraudsters who posed as “Microsoft” employees.
The fraud history
On Friday morning, the 68-year-old man received a disturbing “warning message” on his laptop. He then dialed the phone number listed on the alert and was connected to an alleged Microsoft employee. The scammer claimed that the senior was the victim of a hacker attack and his computer was locked.
When the scammer offered to help, the man agreed and gave him remote access to his computer. The alleged Microsoft employee promised to remove the hackers from the computer system and demanded that the costs be paid using voucher cards.
It took until Sunday for the 68-year-old to notice the fraud and call the police. The investigation is currently underway, but the prospects of getting the money back are bleak.
How you can protect yourself
This incident is a clear example of how sophisticated these scammers can be. Therefore, it is important to always remain vigilant and always contact a trusted professional if you have any computer problems. Never allow an unknown caller access to your computer. You risk losing all data stored on your device, including emails, passwords and access to your customer accounts.
Actions after a fraud event
If you discover that you have fallen victim to such a scam, there are several actions you can take:
- Immediately disconnect and shut down your computer from the Internet. Change affected passwords to online accounts from a non-infected computer.
- Have your computer checked and any software installed by strangers removed.
- Contact companies whose login details may have been obtained by fraudsters.
- Ask your financial institution for advice as to whether you can recover payments that have already been made without authorization.
- Report it to the police.
- Additionally, report the attempted fraud to Microsoft: HERE
Conclusion
It is better to be cautious than to pay the price of gullibility later. Keep in mind that legitimate technology companies like Microsoft typically do not cold call asking for remote access to your computer or payment via gift cards. Stay safe and vigilant in the digital world.
Source:
Press portal
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