Getting Scammed, Conned and/or Ripped Off

It is not much fun.

A lot of my clients have experienced it this past fall and early winter.  They do not enjoy it.

It costs money they either don't have, or would prefer to use in other ways.

How can YOU get scammed, conned or ripped off?

1.  You get a phone call.  The called tells you that your computer is in trouble and she or he can fix it.  The fee well might be $399.00 or thereabouts.  Just download the program they tell you to and they will take control of your computer and "fix it".  All you have to do is agree.  But if you don't want to get conned, scammed or ripped off, hang up and unplug your computer for awhile.  If things don't work right, call your tech, or take it to a shop like Best Buy or MicroCenter and get it "cleaned up" by real, honest and competent techs.  And the end of this article I'l give you a massive tip.

2.  You get a message on your screen informing you that something (Windows, Word, some other program) is corrupt.  Call this phone number and pay a fee and they will uncorrupt your computer or unencrypt your files and all will be well.
  For this one turn your computer OFF, even unplug it or take the battery out of it if it is a laptop, and get help as mentioned in 1. above from a competent, honest tech.

3.  You get a phone call from someone who is either from Microsoft or from a firm who contracts with Microsoft.  Microsoft has detected a problem with your computer.  Their fee is _______.  They will clean the problem off your computer.
     (We are Mac users and we get these phone calls, sometimes two or three a week.)

Remember:  Microsoft doesn't know what is going on with your computer and they don't hire firms to do their work for them.  

     Again, press the Power button on your Windows computer/laptop and turn it off.

Do NOT every let anyone have access to your computer via the Internet and phone.  I would say, "especially strangers" but one of my clients got these phone calls so many times he began to think he knew the person.  Yes, he gave access and we had to wipe everything out and reinstall Windows.

If you get such a call or message on your computer, report it to your local police or sheriff''s office.  Maybe if law enforcement begins to realize how much scamming is going on they will try to nab these folks and put them on a chain gang, maybe cleaning the bottom of filled pools.

They target the elderly especially.

A MASSIVE TIP in Three Parts:
1.  make sure you have a good antivirus and that it is up to date.
2.  Install the professional version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and let it run in the background.
3.  Have an external hard drive and back up your data at least once a week.  And be sure you made or make DVDs of your Windows program so it is easy to install.  Be sure you have the Activation Code.

A Financial Tip:  Windows computers are cheap.  Don't pay too much to have it fixed.  It may be cheaper to buy a new one and restore your data from your backup disk.