The Microsoft Scam, also called the "Tech Support Scam," is a common form of fraud that misuses Microsoft's name to scare individuals into paying for unnecessary services or divulging personal information. The scam typically involves pop-up warnings claiming there is a critical issue on your computer and urging you to call "Microsoft Support." However, these messages are fake, and the calls connect you to scammers.

What Happens During the Microsoft Scam?

1. Fake Pop-Up Warning: The scam usually starts with a sudden pop-up alert on your computer screen. The message might say your computer is infected, compromised, or at risk.

2. Urgent Language and Fake Error Codes: These pop-ups often include fake error codes (like "Error #0x80072EE7") or alarming statements like "Your computer has been locked!" to induce panic.

3. Directing to a Fake Support Number: The pop-up will provide a toll-free number, supposedly for "Microsoft Support." If called, the scammers then ask for remote access to your computer to "fix" the problem.

4. Fake “Diagnostics” and Fees: Once connected, they will often run fake diagnostics or display fake issues to persuade you of a severe problem, eventually asking for payment to "resolve" it.

Example Images of Microsoft Scam Pop-Ups & Norton below:

***REMEMBER, MICROSOFT, NORTON, MCAFEE etc WILL NEVER EVER CALL YOU OR ASK YOU TO CALL THEM!!!***

What to Do If You Gave Remote Access to Scammers

If you have allowed scammers remote access, act quickly to minimize the damage:

1. Disconnect from the Internet: Immediately disable your internet connection by turning off Wi-Fi or unplugging the Ethernet cable to stop further access.

2. Run a Full Security Scan: Use reputable antivirus software to perform a full scan and remove any malware the scammers may have installed (if possible)

3. Update Passwords: Change all your passwords, especially for sensitive accounts like email, banking, and any accounts accessed while connected to the scammer.

4. Contact Your Bank or Credit Card Company: If you provided payment details or sent money, contact your financial institution to secure your accounts and possibly reverse charges.

5. Check for Unauthorized Software: Look through installed programs for unfamiliar or suspicious software that may have been added during the scam session. Remove any you don't recognize.

6. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adding an extra layer of security to your accounts will make it harder for unauthorized users to access them in the future.

A common question from victims is "I have Anti-virus software, how did this happen"? Anti-virus software is like an umbrella or a shield that is there to protect you from both old and new threats, but software such as Norton, Mcafee etc. is never 100% guarantee. If someone were to create a virus and send to 100 Million people there is no anti-virus on the planet that will stop it ... that is until these anti-virus companies figure out a fix and then push an update to their users to protect them.

Lastly, I would highly recommend you take your PC to a reputable PC repair business to scan your pc and remove any threats!

Keep yourself safe, read up on more scams:

www.scammerpreventionhq.com