Watch Out for “Microsoft Tech Support” Scams

From: http://windowssecrets.com/2011/02/03/02-Watch-out-for-Microsoft-Tech-Support-scams/#story1
Written by: Woody Leonhard

A relatively new and deceitful scam has hit the internet. According to Woody Leonhard of WindowsSecrets.com, con artists are posing as Tech Support for Microsoft and stealing not only credit card numbers and money from unsuspecting consumers, but also their identities.

Leonhard says, “Con artists all over the world are bilking big bucks out of unsuspecting Microsoft customers – including savvy Windows users. In this new epidemic, the scammers are sophisticated, glib, and oh-so-convincing. Know the warning signs. You may be next.”

Inside One Con that Almost Succeeded

“I was having a problem with Windows XP and posted an inquiry on one of the [presumed to be] Microsoft support sites. My wife received a call from someone wanting to talk to me about my computer. She gave a time when I would be home. I was expecting a call from my ISP. The call came at the arranged time, but it was not the ISP. The caller said he was working on behalf of Microsoft and directed me to a very convincing website for confirmation of his company and his credentials. The caller knew my name and telephone number.”

“We talked about the problems I’ve been having with Windows XP. He said it sounded like a virus. He guided me into Windows XP’s Event Viewer and showed me a number of red and yellow flags for applications and systems, which he said were indicative of a malware attack.”

“He offered to get a technician to sort the problem for free and directed me to a website, where I had to enter some contact information and my Windows activation code, from a ticker on my PC. Everything went smoothly until I had to enter some sort of warranty code that I didn’t have. He told me to hang on while he checked with his boss. A few minutes later, he was back and gave me the news that my free support period had ended. He told me I would have to pay $99 for extended support and directed me to a place on the website to enter my credit card information.”

Everybody’s Event Viewer has red and yellow flags. Check yours right now and you will see them:

Windows XP: Click Start, Control Pannel, Performance and Maintenance, Administrative Tools, then double-click Computer Management
Vista: Follow the same steps except for the final one. Here, double-click Event Viewer instead.
Windows 7: Click Start, type Event, click Event Viewer.

On the left of the Event Viewer window, expand the Windows Logs/System branch. See the ocean of colored flags? They are mostly harmless, although they look alarming.

Read the full article from WindowsSecrects.com here: http://windowssecrets.com/2011/02/03/02-Watch-out-for-Microsoft-Tech-Support-scams/#story1