As our cooperation partner Watchlist-Internet reports, the scam, in which criminals pose as Microsoft employees and contact their victims by telephone, is widely known. Currently, those affected are increasingly not receiving a call, but are being persuaded to make calls through pop-ups on their screens that restrict computer use. Attention: Do not call, otherwise you risk losing money and data!

It might happen to you too. You are surfing the Internet, go to a website and suddenly nothing works. All you see are wildly stacked windows that open on their own, warning you of supposed virus threats. Where you were just seeing a website, you suddenly see the following and are asked to call a number displayed:

Screenshot: Watchlist Internet / The pop-up asks you to call Microsoft - but it's a scam!
Screenshot: Watchlist Internet / The pop-up asks you to call Microsoft - but it's a scam!

What's particularly nasty about this scam is that once the pop-ups appear on your screen, they cannot be removed by simply closing them. Instead, they are always displayed in the foreground and make it seem like there is no alternative to calling the number displayed.

What happens after a call?

If you dial the number, you won't end up with Microsoft! The person who answers your call is a criminal and is trying to steal your money and data. They give you fabricated evidence to gain your trust and then try to access your computer through software like Anydesk or Teamviewer. Don't let this happen and hang up immediately.

How do you close the windows?

If your screen fills up with pop-ups and you can no longer do anything because all the control surfaces have been covered by pop-ups, the first step is to press the “Alt+F4” keys to close your internet browser (you can find the keys in the bottom row next to the spacebar and in the top row of your keyboard.).

If that doesn't help, press the "Ctrl+Alt+Del" keys at the same time to open the task manager (The "Ctrl" key may be called "Ctrl" and is located at the bottom left of your keyboard. The "Del" button is called possibly “Del” or “Delete” and is either just above or just next to the Enter key.). If the task manager opens, right-click to end the process in your browser (e.g. Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc.)

If that doesn't help, turn off your device. If this cannot be achieved using the “Ctrl+Alt+Delete” key combination, long press the power button on your device until it shuts down. By now you should be able to start and use your device again.

Have you already called?

If you did not recognize the fraud in time, immediately remove the programs that were installed on your system during the phone call. It is also advisable to reinstall your computer to ensure that there is no longer any malware that has been installed unnoticed on your device.

Also contact your bank. Stop payments triggered by criminals and change your online banking login details. If damage has actually occurred in your case, the only option left is to go to the police and file a police report.

Source: Watchlist Internet

Related to the topic: Microsoft fake calls > When the data bandits strike


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