By Louise Nelson
Last week, I unwittingly allowed an intruder into my computer. A pop-up had appeared on my laptop with the Microsoft logo and the warning: HALT ALL ACTIVITY or all data will be lost. It said to contact Tech Support and gave an 800 number.
Unfortunately, I did. It wasn’t Microsoft. Had I ever tried to call Microsoft before, I would have realized just how stupidly easy this was to get someone of the line and then into my computer. So, I allowed someone from this “tech support” to log into my computer remotely to “help” me. After about a half hour of probing around (and doing and leaving behind who knows what!) I hung up the phone and rebooted my laptop. Then I started my calls to head off potential damage and fraud.
One of the first calls I made was to the Sheriff’s office. Dispatch sent a deputy who was on my doorstep within the hour. After a short talk, he gave me a case # (CAD), and the following advice, which I’m sharing with you should you unwittingly repeat my mistake:
- Immediately, turn off the computer for a few hours or preferably the rest of the day.
- Then run an anti-virus program
- Contact Microsoft (the REAL Microsoft!)
- Make a Police Report, get a case number. Keep a record of phone numbers, URLs, anything involved with the call/intrusion.
- Contact your bank, financial companies, credit cards and advise them of the breach. (You may have to get new credit cards.)
The Deputy explained that there’s nothing law enforcement can do until a crime is committed. And he said to be vigilant about any suspicious activity on my computer or in my financial accounts. And, REPORT ANY FRAUD IMMEDIATELY.
Note
To gain access to my computer, the “intruder” used a program called Ultra Viewer. When I reported it online, about 6 scam companies came up to choose from. It happens more often than we think.
But it started with a bot or virus breach on my computer that permitted that original warning to pop up. So, as a precaution, frequently run your anti-virus program, especially Microsoft Defender if you have Windows (it’s free), and keep your software updated to the latest versions.
Hope this helps!
I recently lost a credit card. The day I received the new card, I started updating all the autopay accounts related the the lost card. That very day, I received an email saying “unable to process payment”. I stupidly clicked the link and began updating the website with my new credit card info. Then I thought to verify which credit card was associated with that account. It was a different card. I stopped the transaction, and notified the credit card company to issue a new card. The day the second card arrived, I received another email stating “unable to process your card”. This time I knew it was a scam, but the question remains, how do the scammers know when a new card has been issued? Inside information?
A friend with the World Bank in Cambodia uses a US based CC and had exactly the same thing happen. As if there is insider knowledge or a digital tip off.
Louise, if you get anything like that again; do Ctrl,Alt,Delete simultaneously. That will bring up a window that will allow to go to the Task Manager window. From there you can kill Microsoft Edge. I’m sure the Sheriff also told you to immediately change all your key passwords
Good luck. Bill.
Thank you, Bill! I hope I’ve learned my lesson.
Louise
Louise, I’m so sorry this happened to you and hopefully there will be no problems that come from this for you. Thanks for documenting all this information.