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Microsoft takes on tech support scammers | Microsoft takes on tech support scammers |
(about 5 hours later) | |
US software giant Microsoft is suing alleged scammers who phone people pretending to represent the firm and offer bogus technology support. | US software giant Microsoft is suing alleged scammers who phone people pretending to represent the firm and offer bogus technology support. |
The callers ask to take over a home computer and demand money to fix it. Some then install viruses as well. | The callers ask to take over a home computer and demand money to fix it. Some then install viruses as well. |
The software company said it had received more than 65,000 complaints about tech support scams since May. | The software company said it had received more than 65,000 complaints about tech support scams since May. |
It is taking legal action against several firms it accuses of misusing its name in such cases. | It is taking legal action against several firms it accuses of misusing its name in such cases. |
Fake ads | Fake ads |
The scam has been around for decades with callers peddling useless security software and tricking people into spending hundreds of pounds (or dollars) to solve non-existent computer problems. | The scam has been around for decades with callers peddling useless security software and tricking people into spending hundreds of pounds (or dollars) to solve non-existent computer problems. |
Increasingly, the bogus technicians are gaining access to people's computers remotely. | Increasingly, the bogus technicians are gaining access to people's computers remotely. |
From there they can also steal personal and financial information and install malware. | From there they can also steal personal and financial information and install malware. |
In some cases people are tricked into signing up for support via fake web ads. Others receive a direct telephone call from a technician claiming to represent Microsoft. | In some cases people are tricked into signing up for support via fake web ads. Others receive a direct telephone call from a technician claiming to represent Microsoft. |
Microsoft has warned that scammers are likely to be active over the Christmas period. | Microsoft has warned that scammers are likely to be active over the Christmas period. |
"The holiday season is a popular time for scammers as more people engage in online activities, including shopping, donating to charity and searching for travel deals," it said. | "The holiday season is a popular time for scammers as more people engage in online activities, including shopping, donating to charity and searching for travel deals," it said. |
Older victims | Older victims |
Older people needed to be particularly vigilant, it said. | Older people needed to be particularly vigilant, it said. |
"Tech support scammers don't discriminate; they will go after anyone, but not surprisingly senior citizens have been among the most vulnerable." | "Tech support scammers don't discriminate; they will go after anyone, but not surprisingly senior citizens have been among the most vulnerable." |
The US Federal Trade Commission filed a legal case in Florida last month against a company that used adverts to scare people into believing their computer had a virus and then sell them allegedly worthless services. | The US Federal Trade Commission filed a legal case in Florida last month against a company that used adverts to scare people into believing their computer had a virus and then sell them allegedly worthless services. |
In the UK, National Trading Standards has recently taken legal action against a man from Luton who hired people at an Indian call centre to falsely tell people their computers had a serious problem. | |
Mohammed Khalid Jamil was given a four-month suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay £5,665 compensation and £13,929 in prosecution costs. | Mohammed Khalid Jamil was given a four-month suspended jail sentence and ordered to pay £5,665 compensation and £13,929 in prosecution costs. |
Microsoft has issued tips to help users avoid falling for such scams. | Microsoft has issued tips to help users avoid falling for such scams. |
It says: | It says: |
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