FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :   Tuesday, December 02, 2015  
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605)773-3215 
 

 Attorney General Jackley Warns of Windows Technical Support Scam Targeting
South Dakotans

PIERRE, S.D.-  Attorney General Marty Jackley is warning South Dakota consumers about a scam that continues to resurface in South Dakota that targets computer users. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has received multiple reports of consumers receiving phone calls from someone claiming to be from the support center of Microsoft Windows wanting to gain access to the consumer’s computer in order to make repairs.

The call begins with the scammer telling the consumer that their computer has an urgent problem or virus that must be fixed immediately. The caller says “Microsoft” can connect to the computer remotely and repair it for the customer. Once the scammer is connected to the computer, they either obtain the consumer’s financial information through a fraudulent “pay” website or install malicious software that combs the computer for personal information, such as usernames, passwords, bank and credit card numbers, tax documents and more.
 
Microsoft has issued warnings on its website about this scam, saying neither the company nor any of its partners make unsolicited calls to computer users.
 
Here are a few tips to avoid being victim in this repair scam:
 
• Obtain as much information about the caller as you possibly can. Note their name, phone number, time they called and what was said.
• Never give remote access to your computer to any unsolicited caller for any reason.
• If you have caller ID and receive a call from a number you don’t recognize, don’t answer the phone.
• If you do answer one of these calls and have concerns about your computer’s security features, call the manufacturer or take it to a reputable retailer or repair shop to be examined for viruses, malicious software, or corrupted files.

If you are a victim of allowing “Microsoft support” access to your computer, please call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 800-300-1986. 

-30-