Montgomery County, Ohio, officials issued a warning about a Microsoft virus scam that is targeting folks who are less technologically skilled.
A Washington Township man was recently taken advantage of by a bogus Microsoft virus scam.
Important precautions to take to avoid the ‘Microsoft virus’ fraud:
- If an error or warning appears on your screen, Microsoft will never provide a phone number to call for help.
- The company will never contact you to request personal information or to repair your computer.
- ALL contacts with Microsoft are initiated by the user, not by someone claiming to be from Microsoft.
- Never give out your personal information to someone you don’t know.
- If you receive a phone call requesting remote access to your computer, hang up immediately. Giving someone access to your computer could give them access to the majority of your accounts.
Steps to Avoid Being Scammed:
- If you feel someone is attempting to defraud you, hang up immediately and contact your local police or sheriff’s office.
- Don’t install software that was sent to you by someone else.
- Ensure that all of your antivirus software is up to date and purchased straight from a reputable company.
- Make an effort to utilize diverse and unique passwords.
- Be aware of the techniques and keywords that scammers are likely to employ.
