Seems like computer repair scammers are everywhere. They want your money and your personal information for their own gain. Unfortunately, they can get it in moments using your computer if you give them access. That’s where vigilance about computer repair scams can save your financial and personal future.
Step 1: No One Contacts You Out of the Blue
One of the hallmarks of computer repair scams is contacting you out of the blue. This contact can be in the form of phone calls, emails, and even social media messaging. They then claim your computer needs some kind of urgent repair and they need to do it right now, or something disastrous will happen. The scammers typically present themselves as computer repair techs working for a large company, like Microsoft, Apple, or Geek Squad.
A real computer repair outfit will never contact you unless you’ve contacted them and will never make a repair out to be excessively time-sensitive. Reputable outfits like GrohTech always have time to explain repairs.
Step 2: Watch for Spoofed Phone Numbers or Email Addresses
One of the more common practices in scams is spoofing legitimate-looking phone numbers and email addresses. Spoofing is the practice of fooling caller ID, email inboxes, and more with false header information. For example, a scammer in Bangladesh might show up as a phone number from Seattle on your caller ID, so you think it’s Microsoft calling.
If you want to be sure, call the company the potential scammer says they’re from on their legitimate helpline. These numbers are in your device instruction manuals and on the internet. On the off chance the issue is genuine, there should be a note in your device’s file.
Never use a callback number from a potential scammer.
Step 3: Check for Registered Software
Often the scariest part of computer repair scams is when a scammer has your computer under their control. At that point, they will typically demand money. One way to avoid that is to check remote software they intend to use yourself. Find reviews of that software, its feature descriptions, and more.
Additionally, you should always be in control of any remote access technology.
Be sure the tech who works on your computer points out the “stop session” feature, so you can end the session if you become suspicious. If this is not the case, turn off the computer and call a repair technician.
Step 4: Never Give Out Personal Information
At no point should a reputable repair technician request passwords from you. A computer repair scam artist, however, will. This request is because passwords make it easier for them to come back, even if you never allow them to do their repair.
A legitimate computer repair operation will never ask for your password.
Step 5: Go Local to Avoid Computer Repair Scams
One of the best things you can do, even in flu and COVID-19 season, is contacting a local repair shop.
Use local, reputable computer repair shops, like GrohTech, that offer trusted computer repairs at a fraction of the cost.
GrohTech employees live and work in Fox River Grove and are happy to support you without gimmicky sales and speeches.