Since the beginning of the internet, we've been warned about the dangers of computer viruses, which can cause everything from the deletion of important files to a significant slowdown in our system's performance. Computer technical support scams take advantage of this deeply ingrained fear to defraud unsuspecting seniors out of their hard-earned money and assets.

What exactly are technical support scams?

Tech support scams are unsolicited offers to fix a "problem" with your computer or software that you did not request. They are typically sent by someone posing as a representative from a legitimate software company (e.g. Microsoft). A tech support scam may be attempted through a website, via email or text message, or over the phone, among other methods.

While their intentions may appear to be good, the fraudsters behind these scams are only interested in one thing: gaining access to your systems—and, more importantly, your credit card or bank account number. You could end up losing a significant amount of money in the end.

What is the scope of the problem, and how does it affect older adults?

What kind of money do tech support scams generate? How many people are fooled by tech support scams each year? According to a 2020 report from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), this is a significant problem that is only getting worse over time. Tech support fraud, along with ransomware and business email scams, was one of the top three crime trends in 2020, according to the FBI.

Take a look at these facts:

The International Commission on Fraudulent Tech Support received 15,421 complaints from victims of tech support scams in 60 countries.

The total losses exceeded $146 million, representing a 171 percent increase over the previous year.

Sixty-six percent of those killed or injured were over the age of 60. Over $116 million in financial losses were borne primarily by this particular group of people. Older adults are frequently targeted because it is assumed that they are wealthier than other age groups and less technologically savvy than younger people.

Real people have suffered catastrophic losses as a result of the actions of cybercriminals, and their stories are hidden behind the numbers. During the year 2021, a man from Illinois lost his entire life savings to con artists posing as employees of a well-known antivirus company. These con artists gained remote access to the man's bank account and home equity line of credit under the pretense of issuing him a refund for unused software. They were able to get away with nearly $200,000 in the end, money that was never retrieved.

What is the mechanism by which technical support scams operate?

While different types of tech support scams employ different techniques, they all use frightening language and other high-pressure tactics to compel you to take action immediately. Here are three ways in which criminals prey on the elderly:

It is possible that a virus has infected your computer through a pop-up window that appears unexpectedly and is redirected from a legitimate website. According to this "ad," it is possible that you will be prompted to contact technical support immediately using the number displayed. The bogus pop-up in the image below appears to be coming from Microsoft, which is a well-known and trusted brand in the industry.

When you call the number, a "tech support" representative may ask for remote access to your computer—or may ask you to pay a fee for computer repairs—after which you will be disconnected. Personal information may be requested of you, and this information could later be used to steal your money or identify as you.

Emails or text messages: Unfortunately, email systems are not always secure, and it is relatively simple to create a fraudulent email address. Similar to a website pop-up, tech support scam emails are designed to appear as if they are coming from reputable, well-known companies, such as Microsoft. This type of message may contain malicious links or attachments that, if you click on them or open them, will cause you to receive tech support "alerts." These bogus alerts can actually cause your screen or keyboard to freeze, giving you the impression that something is wrong with your computer.

Phone calls: Tech support phone scams are frequently perpetrated by call centers that are not in the business of providing technical support. Scammers carefully select vulnerable targets, such as elderly people or people with disabilities, and then use pre-written scripts to instill fear and anxiety in those who receive their calls. Posing as a tech expert, they may claim that your computer is infected with malware or has other potentially dangerous issues that need to be addressed immediately. Remote access to your system may be requested by them, which may allow them to install malware or steal your information from you. The scammer may even claim to be able to repair the alleged problems with your computer—and then demand payment through a method that is difficult to trace, such as a money transfer or gift card.

What can I do to avoid falling victim to tech support scams?

Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to avoid falling victim to a tech support fraud scheme. Generally speaking, it is a good idea to:

Keep an eye out for unexpected inbound communications and treat them with caution. Most reputable businesses do not contact customers via phone calls, emails, or online messages without their permission. Furthermore, genuine technical support departments will never request payment in the form of gift cards or bank transfers.

Maintain your composure: If someone calls and insists that your computer has a critical problem that must be addressed immediately, don't be alarmed—and don't be afraid to say "no" and hang up. Fortunately, there isn't a computer problem that can't wait to be fixed. Verify the phone number of the company that the caller claims to be from and call the number directly if it is from a reputable company.

Keep your personal information safe: Never send out your personal or financial information via email or phone unless you have permission to do so. When making online purchases, credit cards should be used instead of your bank account information or debit card. Most credit card companies will not hold you liable if your card is used fraudulently, making them a safer method of making online purchases.

And, most importantly, follow your gut instincts. Do not hesitate to ignore or end a conversation if you receive a website pop-up, email, text message, or phone call that does not feel right to you.

It is not impolite to hang up the phone on unsolicited callers, especially those who make you feel uncomfortable, and it is not considered rude.

There are also technical best practices to keep in mind, including the following:

Maintaining your computer's up-to-date status entails updating your browser and operating system on a regular basis. If your computer is more than a few years old, you should also consider replacing it entirely. It is possible that an older system has out-of-date software that does not have the most recent security updates. As a result, it becomes more vulnerable to hacking attempts.

Install reputable antivirus software to keep both you and your computer protected. There are a plethora of reputable options available for free on the internet.

Do not click on any links in website pop-ups or emails unless specifically instructed to do so. Visit a website by typing the web address (URL) into the address bar of your web browser window on your computer.

Configure your cell phone to reject calls from unknown numbers (contact your phone carrier to find out how).

You can check the security certificates of websites by clicking on the small padlock icon located in the left-hand corner of the browser's address bar. It's important that the URL begins with "HTTPS." When you use HTTPS, your connection is protected by advanced security technology. Essentially, this means that any information you submit through the website will be kept strictly confidential.

What to do if you believe you've been scammed on the internet

Not to be alarmed if you suspect you've been the victim of a technical support scam. rather than panicking, take a deep breath and follow these steps instead:

Remove the phone from your ear or turn off your computer immediately.

Make a phone call to someone you can trust and tell them what happened.

If you believe that money has been taken from your account, contact your financial institution.

Inquire for assistance from legitimate technical support companies that you have researched and confirmed to be legitimate.

File a complaint with the FBI, and/or report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission online if you have already done so (FTC). By reporting your experience, you can help to ensure that this fraud does not happen to anyone else.

You might be interested in learning more about protecting yourself from cybercriminals. Learn how to improve your personal cybersecurity with these practical tips.