HUTCHINSON, Kan. — There is a scam going around that may dupe you into thinking you have viruses on your computer. It gives an 800 number for you to call. You may get a pop-up or link displaying the number. But, the scam can go further when someone calls you claiming to be with Microsoft, AT&T, Cox or someone else to tell you that your computer is infected and has been hacked.
Ryan Suppes with Computer Mart says the scam artist will direct you to a website with fake information that your computer has lots of viruses, malware, been hacked, etc. While on the website, they have you click on something and when you do, they gain access to your computer. Suppes says this is done without your permission most of the time. They then proceed to install additional software and other things.
He says they may then ask for money, as much as $300, so they can supposedly fix your computer. If you say “yes,” they charge you with what can be a recurring charge which could max out your credit card. If you say “no,” they could then change your password to your computer and not allow you to get on it, or they mess it up some other way.
Suppes says they’ve had six customers in the last week. They were scammed out of nearly $7,000.
Don’t be fooled, ignore those pop-ups or links. Install the virus protection that you want and then run a scan to check for anything on your computer you don’t want. Also, if someone calls you claiming to be with a particular company such as Cox saying you have viruses, hang up.