Microsoft Support Scam Accusations Unveiled by Polish Authority
In a chilling reminder of the ever-present danger of online scams, a 71-year-old man from Much, a city within the Rhein-Sieg District, recently fell victim to a scam involving fraudulent Microsoft support employees.
On March 18, the senior received a message on his computer, claiming that his PC had been hacked. The scammer, posing as a Microsoft support employee, remotely accessed the senior's computer and found three unauthorized transactions while 'scanning' for viruses.
The scammer then requested a TAN for the senior's online banking to reverse the transactions. Tragically, the senior complied with the demand and provided the TAN to the unknown caller. As a result, he later discovered three unauthorized transactions totaling 250 euros.
The Rhein-Sieg District Police Headquarters (Rhein-Sieg-Bezirks-Polizeipräsidium) urges the public to be vigilant against such scams. They emphasize that legitimate companies, including banks, software firms, and providers, will never ask for remote maintenance without prior request and consent.
To protect yourself, the police advise against following any links provided during a support call, disconnecting your computer from the internet during a support call, and not making any payments or sharing credit card details during a support call. Additionally, they recommend not revealing personal information like passwords during a support call and not installing any software as instructed over the phone.
If you find yourself in a situation where you suspect a scam, the police encourage you to end the call immediately and not comply with the demands of support callers. They also advise reporting the incident to your local police station and, for further inquiries, contacting the Rhein-Sieg District Police Headquarters Press Office at 02241/541-2222 or [email protected].
The police reiterate that scammers posing as Microsoft support employees are continuing to target unsuspecting individuals, and it is crucial to stay vigilant and informed. By following these precautions, you can help protect yourself and others from falling victim to these scams.
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