Frustrated and Saddened
I’m frustrated and saddened. For more than three years, I’ve been preaching and warning my customers about tech support scams. As recently as three days ago, in my blog post entitled “Soapbox,” I reiterated how fake pop-ups and unsolicited phone calls trick people into being cheated. I shared the FBI report on Internet crime which showed computer users were robbed of $54 Million in 2019 by tech support schemes. (That’s reported losses. Many people are too embarrassed to report the crime.) Also in my blog, I’ve repeatedly written about Social Engineering and its ill effects. I’ve talked about these scammers at seminars, in webinars and in almost every Question of the Week email. Three years ago, I created a video explaining how they work and what you should NOT do.
Despite My Repeated Warnings…
Even after all these warnings, this past week, two long-time customers fell for a tech support scam. They allowed fake techs onto their computers. One of these customers spent 2 1/2 hours at their bank trying to straighten things out. Why? Because the thief hacked their checking account. Also, the hacker was turning their web cam on (the person could see themselves on the screen) and spying on them. Additionally, this same customer wound up buying a new computer. Their computer was compromised to the point that it was less expensive to buy a new computer.
It Pains Me
I can’t tell you how it pains me when one of my customers allows a complete stranger onto their computer and then gets ripped off. Also, on a purely selfish point, it irks me that the same person who will complain because I raise my Remote Technical Support subscription fee $10 will pay hundreds of dollars to a total stranger who is cheating them. (Note: I’m not talking about the two customers who became victims this past week. They have never complained about my prices.) So, after that explanation, here are my questions for you, the reader: what more can I do? What other approach can I take to get through to all my customers so they don’t become victims of a technical support scam?”
Please use the comment area to share your answers to these two questions.
John, quit obsessing over the few who choose to not heed your warnings. Remember the adage: you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink.
Jack Runyan
John — Wish I had an answer to your frustration, but it seems like you have done everything possible in preaching about becoming a victim to scam phone calls and emails. People just have to use their “common sense” and go directly to the “trash barrel symbol” .
(Just this past week I also received an email, supposedly from a past cruise travel customer in Georgia, several aspects of which did not sound right.) They wanted me to purchase a gift card for their grandson, and they would repay me when they returned home. I had phone numbers for their 2 daughter in my files, and found out that their computer had been hacked, and the girls were working to fix the situation.
Thanks for your comment, Rod. I’m glad you were “on alert” and didn’t fall for the email that was allegedly from one of your travel customers. Keep up the good work!
John, I’m not sufficiently computer savvy to suggest anything more than you have done to protect clients from themselves. Some people hear and read about the scams and how best to not become a victim. If they choose to ignore the warnings, let it be at their peril.