Suz
04-02-2010, 04:16 PM
This is an FYI to the unsuspecting--this scam appears to have migrated here from Australia and the UK, and has been ratcheting up in the US for at least a couple of years. I write on in hopes that someone else will be spared this situation.
Tell your not-so-computer-savvy loved ones.
NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM SOMEONE WHO COLD CALLS YOU. NEVER PERMIT AN UNSOLICITED COMPANY TO INSTALL A PROGRAM ON YOUR COMPUTER.
This outfit, "Support on Click" phones you at home, and knows your name, and implies that they are from Microsoft, and tells you that your computer is vulnerable. They get you to access their web site and permit them to download "computer security" software, which you purchase with your credit card. The software actually allows them to access and view the contents of your system any time you are online.
They managed to convince my elderly mother, who actually had been having computer problems, and doesn't understand well how computers or the internet work. She was curious how they knew about her computer issues, but she is a perpetual optimist and it was some work for me to convince her that these jerks had scammed her.
They sold her a 3-year 'service contract' for $289.00. Now we are having to contact the police, and call all her banks and work through the misery of changing account numbers, passwords, etc., plus the expense of having someone get the trash off her computer. Plus, she feels like an idiot and is upset and scared about possible rip-offs and identity theft, a real concern.
You can google "Support on Click Scam" and read all about it.
Folks if you get calls like this, just say "no" and hang up.
Tell your not-so-computer-savvy loved ones.
NEVER BUY ANYTHING FROM SOMEONE WHO COLD CALLS YOU. NEVER PERMIT AN UNSOLICITED COMPANY TO INSTALL A PROGRAM ON YOUR COMPUTER.
This outfit, "Support on Click" phones you at home, and knows your name, and implies that they are from Microsoft, and tells you that your computer is vulnerable. They get you to access their web site and permit them to download "computer security" software, which you purchase with your credit card. The software actually allows them to access and view the contents of your system any time you are online.
They managed to convince my elderly mother, who actually had been having computer problems, and doesn't understand well how computers or the internet work. She was curious how they knew about her computer issues, but she is a perpetual optimist and it was some work for me to convince her that these jerks had scammed her.
They sold her a 3-year 'service contract' for $289.00. Now we are having to contact the police, and call all her banks and work through the misery of changing account numbers, passwords, etc., plus the expense of having someone get the trash off her computer. Plus, she feels like an idiot and is upset and scared about possible rip-offs and identity theft, a real concern.
You can google "Support on Click Scam" and read all about it.
Folks if you get calls like this, just say "no" and hang up.