It happens every day. Over 250,000 people within the confines of the U.S. will be subject of some type of scam that is either an indirect or direct scam. Let's identify which is which.
The Indirect SCAM
Also called "phishing" scams, these are normally e-mails and web based inquiries to spend your hard earned money on things that do nothing for you or your computer and make those who gain your trust rich.
Some of these indirect methods are easy to see and identify. For example, you may get unsolicited invite to share in a large sum of cash (mostly Nigerian based although England is becoming a hot bed of phishing professionals). Some of the others are product based. No matter what you see in an e-mail, if you don’t trust the sender, or didn't ask for the information, then DO NOT RESPOND to these e-mails. In fact, don't even open the e-mail.
There are also web based pop-ups that tell you your machine is having a problem or that a virus has infected your computer. They say things like "Click Here to have your PC scanned...". The website located behind the pop-up is usually a scam based engine designed to part you from your money. The bogus virus scans are supposed to work, they don't.
These scams are designed to press you for money right now. They will do it again in six months, and again in six months... They may also ask you for your location or personal information (which may consist of an IP address, your physical address, your e-mail address, your social security number, your bank account info or your credit card info)... all of this information is used (actually abused) and then sold to others. They pry money or information from you and sell that information to others who hope to obtain more money or get more information from you. Don't fall for this. If you surf the net, and a window pops up, don't just start clicking to get rid of it. Find the exit button, or click the upper right hand corner "X". If you don't find an exit, shut down the browser and start all over.
Indirect scams are the types of exposure that occur in e-mails, web browsers and regular U.S. Postal Service mail. It's an effort by scammers to get information out of you indirectly where confrontation is via a method that requires no direct contact.
The Direct SCAM
These offenders often call you on the phone from "out of the blue" and solicit you for information or money. They are bold and can be very, very dangerous.
One of the current scams is for someone to call and say that they are from some business or company, quite possibly someone that you may know or have heard of. Again, any unsolicited calls are to be treated with the utmost caution. If you called "Don Pardo Heating and Air", and they say they are returning your call, all may be well and good since you asked for that return call. However, if someone you've never heard of calls and says they are following up on a problem with your computer and they need access to it, get off the phone. If you had a computer problem or connection issue, you would have called someone first. You should not get an unsolicited attempt to "fix" an issue you do not think you have. (Many of our clients have recently received calls from phony technicians, posing as Microsoft support, and prying for personal information and remote access to your PC. NOTE - Microsoft will never call you directly.)
Another prevalent scam is to inform you that you have won a trip or appliance and the contest promoters would like to ship you the information. They require an address and other personal information (most of the time it's a credit card for "shipping and handling") to verify your eligibility. You provide whatever they ask for and find out later your credit card is charged to the limit.
Anyone, and I mean any person, who calls and asks for information where you did not initiate the request for service or product -- GET OFF THE LINE. HANG-UP NOW! Yes, the call could be legitimate, but hanging up and calling the company back keeps you safe from predators who will take advantage of you. Legit companies understand if you are reluctant to give out information, they also respect your privacy.
So here's your "Rule of Thumb": Do not give out personal information to anyone who contacts me for money or information without my foreknowledge or personal request, it's most likely a scam!
Remember: SCAMS happen to those who don't know, don't care or don't want to believe the information presented above. Be aware! Know what's happening! Share with your loved ones! When in doubt about a computer, network or information provider issue, call RTS and ask us if you get anything that looks suspicious or sounds too good to be true.
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