Senior citizens are being bullied online and by telephone. Telephone scammers call and say they are aware of the problem on the mark’s computer. They offer to resolve the issue by remotely accessing the computer. Once the scammer (who claims to be calling from “windows”) remotes in to the mark’s computer, the scammer can create more problems and then offer to fix them for a fee — payable by credit card. Now the scammer has control of the computer and the credit card.
The phone scammer holds the gun.
Why do senior citizens fall prey to this scam?
- They are home to answer the phone
- They are too polite to hang up
- They know Windows is on there computer
- Their computer may be experiencing some issues and they are thankful somebody can help
- Tech is so amazing, it seems possible somebody is aware of their computer’s problem
- They may have had legitimate experiences with a tech remoting in to their computer
- Once they let the scammer in they don’t know how to get him out
If you have fallen prey to this scam:
- Change your computer’s password
- Change the passwords on your email accounts
- Change the password for any financial accounts, especially your bank and credit card
- Run virus and malware scans
- Uninstall any programs installed during the conversation
If you are unsure of how to perform any of these steps, ask someone you trust to help you as soon as possible.
As a computer tech, I have met many people who have received these phone calls. After paying the scammer, they then have to pay me to clean up the mess. I advise all my clients to just say, “I have my own computer person who I trust. I will call her.” And hang up. I was actually with one client when a call came in. She handed me the phone and I scolded the caller. But I knew they would just go on to the next name on their list.
This business of selling lists has been going on long before computers and email were part of our daily lives. Lists are the power behind direct marketing by mail and telephone. Buy from one catalog and suddenly you are receiving catalogs from similar businesses. Why? Because the first catalog owner sold your name and address as a lead.
I have noticed that people who buy computers from a specific big box store are more likely to be called by the scammers. It may be a coincidence, but it is likely the big box is unwittingly selling the list of buyers names and phone numbers to a vendor who sells to the scammers.
While selling lists of leads is a legitimate business, maybe the list vendors should be doing a better job of vetting their buyers. List buyers can request specific filters such as users of a specific anti-virus program or people who have registered on a specific weight-loss website or computer buyers over 65 years old. The list vendor is only selling bullets. The scammer holds the gun.
If you have fallen prey to this scam and are in the Massapequa area, call Gloria 516-965-8537 for help in restoring and repairing you computer.