Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
An anti-cybercrime community alerting the public.

Microsoft Scam Alert Warning and Fake Technical Support

There are fake "Microsoft Scam Alert" messages that urges users to call fake technical support telephone numbers. This scheme states that if the alert is ignored and the page is closed - access to the visitor's device will be disabled, in order to prevent further damage to the network. But, this is not true. It is just another deceptive method used by scammers into tricking potential victims into doing what they want.

Advertisements

How the Microsoft Scam Alert Works

The scammers behind the fake "Microsoft Scam Alert" will attempt to trick their potential victims into calling fake telephone numbers by claiming their computers have been infected with malware, specifically, with adult content spyware.

To remove the nonexistent infections, the scammers will attempt to pushed their potential victims into calling fake Microsoft technical support numbers. They will claim their "expert engineers" will aid with the removal process. But, all of the information provided is false.

Trusting technical support scams can lead to a wide variety of issues. The fake helplines are usually not toll-free (despite often being presented as such). Scammers typically attempt to gain remote access to their victims' devices. However, it is more common for scammers to remove legitimate anti-virus software and offer fake system protection/cleaning tools, infect devices with actual malware (e.g. trojans, ransomware, etc.), extract private/sensitive content stored within the system, and so on. One of the popular malware choices are RATs (Remote Access Trojans), which ensure stealthy (and potentially, indefinite) remote access and control over victims' computers.

Furthermore, tech support scammers ask users to provide personal information themselves (e.g. names, addresses, emails, credit card and banking account details) - by requesting the information to be written down and/or entered into dubious sites that record provided data.

Check the comment section for additional information, or share what you know or ask a question about this article, by clicking the 'View or Write Comment' button below.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.

Share this article with others.
Advertisements
Write / View Comments (0)
View on Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Help Maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA)