Microsoft Phishing Targets Consumers

 Phishing – scams that send unsolicited messages trying to get you to send them personal information – is still a big problem, even for those who are Internet savvy. Recently, a widespread phishing scheme has raked in tens of thousands of Americans' dollars. The scheme has become such a problem that both the Federal Trade Commission and Microsoft released statements warning consumers to be vigilant.

The way the scam works is that someone calls claiming to be from Microsoft Tech Support. The caller says your computer has been infected by a virus and that they are willing to fix it for a fee. The fee is usually between $50 and $500. If you agree and give your credit card number, the caller will remotely access your computer and "fix" the nonexistent problem. Sometimes, the scammer will download spyware or steal your information.

Some versions of this scheme involve fraudulent e-mails appearing to be from Microsoft, offering security updates and a number of other services. What makes phishing so dangerous is the sheer number of separate scams that exist. So to avoid phishing, keep in mind that:

• Microsoft never sends unsolicited e-mails.
• Microsoft Tech Support will never call you about possible problems.
• Banks and software companies will not contact you via text message.
• Software companies and the government will not freeze your computer and then charge a fee to repair it.

References

Federal Trade Commission. (2012, October 3). FTC halts massive tech support scams. [Press release]. Retrieved from http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/10/pecon.shtm.

Microsoft. (2012). Avoid scams that use the Microsoft name fraudulently. Safety & Security Center. Retrieved from http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/msname.aspx.