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Microsoft SA issues phone scammer warning for Windows users

Microsoft South Africa has just issued a warning to South Africans of a resurgence in phone call scams targeting Windows users.

The scam follows the pattern of a typical phishing style attack with the caller claiming to be a representative of Microsoft, usually from either the Windows Helpdesk, Windows Service Centre, Microsoft Tech Support, Microsoft Support, Windows Technical Department Support Group or even Microsoft’s Research and Development Team. The caller then tells the victim that Microsoft has detected a virus or some similar sort of PC problem and that it can either be solved by installing some form of software that must be purchased or with the remote login access to their PC, which is then used by the scammer to install the software.

The software that is installed is more often than not a form of malware like a keylogger which is then used to capture the user names and passwords of the victim.

Microsoft South Africa’s PR and communications manager, Ashleigh Fenwick, says that “In reality, the scammer only tricked unsuspecting consumers into believing that there is a problem and that paying a fee would be the best way to sort the issues out. Often they will also push clients to purchase a one year computer maintenance subscription.”

Microsoft issued the following tips for users:

  • Do not purchase software or services over the telephone.
  • If there is a fee associated with the service being offered, then hang up.
  • Consumers should never authorise remote control over a PC to a third party, unless they can confirm that the party concerned is a legitimate representatives of a computer support team with whom they are already a customer.
  • If you feel that a caller is acting suspicious, take down their information and report them to the South African Police Services (08600 10111 or crimstopgauteng@saps.org.za).
  • Never provide credit card or financial information to someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support.
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