Computer Repair in Kalamazoo

The Setup

Scenario 1: You’re on your computer, casually surfing the web. A website here, a photo site there, maybe playing some music. Suddenly, the screen goes weird and then there’s a big error message claiming your computer has been infected! What do you do now? Then you notice that under the error message, there is the number for Microsoft! How convenient! A little too convenient actually.

Scenario 2: You’re watching a movie on a streaming site. All of a sudden, your computer freezes up! You can’t move the mouse, change screens, or anything! Now what? Then, as if an answer to your question, the phone rings. You answer and, what a coincidence, someone from “Microsoft” is on the line saying “they detected that your computer has been hacked, but they can help you…” – for a fee of course.

The common denominator in both of these scenarios is that they are both scams! There’s no way the phone number to a legitimate tech support company is going to miraculously pop-up right when your computer is having issues. The reality is the same malware that is causing the issues, it also providing the fraudulent company’s number for you to call so they can obtain your credit card information.

It’s the same for scenario 2. No reputable, LEGITIMATE technical support company is going to be randomly scanning computers on the Internet to see if they are “compromised” and then calling the user to offer assistance (for a fee) in clearing the “infection” or “hackers” from the computer. Again, both the cause of the issue and the alleged tech support are one and the same. They are scam artists out to bilk you out of your hard earned money.

I know what you’re thinking. You think “Oh I would never fall for that,” and you may be right. But unfortunately many, many people do. Especially targeted are our senior population. They tend to be less knowledgeable about the technical side of computers, and are more susceptible to believing the lies of the fake tech support person.

Spot the Con!

So how can you tell if you are being scammed? Easy. If you are suddenly having issues on your computer (i.e. pop-ups, links going to wrong addresses, computer suddenly running much slower, etc.), then a message appears stating that your computer is “infected” and provides a number (usually indicating that it’s “Microsoft”) to call for technical support. Ignore it. It’s NOT Microsoft. Microsoft is not in the business of removing malware from your computer. And no other legitimate tech support company is surfing the net looking for infected computers to clean. Call a local, trusted computer repair shop like Geek Easy Computers.

If you get a call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft, saying they detected your computer is “infected”, hang up on them. Again, Microsoft is not interested in removing malware from your computer. Bring your computer to your dependable local expert (i.e. Geek Easy Computers) so we can examine the computer and remove anything that may have been loaded onto it to provide unauthorized access by those how would scam you.

Don’t let them fool you. The scammers are getting better and more realistic. The key to remember is if they contact YOU first, it’s more than likely a scam. Don’t give them any information or access to your computer. Bring it to us. You’ll save money and headaches!

Contact us with any questions in the comments below, via phone at 269-548-TECH(8234), or on Facebook and Google+!

Geek Easy Computers – Making Technology Easier!

Adonis Pointer is a photographer, a collector of vintage razors, and a certified technology geek! Adonis has been involved in computer technology since well, a LONG time! He has been involved in nearly every aspect of the industry from sales to repair to training to consulting. As the Social Media Manager he writes the majority of the posts on the Geek Easy Computers blog.