What to do if you’ve had a fake Microsoft support call?
A fake Microsoft support call is when you receive a call from someone who says they are from Microsoft Helpdesk, telling you that they have discovered a problem with your PC. They ask you if you are near your machine, and ask you to log in. They then use a ‘let me in’ type of link which allows them to take control of your machine.
They can then either put some malicious software on your machine – which could provide them with information about bank passwords etc. Alternatively, they can tell you that you have a major problem, and will try to fix it for you, often by selling you some form of ‘anti-virus’ software, usually at an extortionate price. Or worse, a combination of both.
Disclaimer
The advice and information provided on this website are for general informational purposes only. While we strive to offer accurate and helpful content, we do not take responsibility for any actions taken based on the advice provided. Users are encouraged to exercise their own judgment and discretion when implementing any recommendations. We make no guarantees regarding the outcomes or results of following any advice, and assume no liability for any consequences resulting from its use.
First steps
First and foremost, consider this: How could they possibly obtain your phone number solely from your internet address? The answer is simple—they cannot.
The appropriate response in this situation is clear: Hang up immediately. This is a scam.
However, if you have already granted access or engaged with the caller, you may have inadvertently installed malicious software on your system. To mitigate potential risks, take the following steps promptly:
- Change your computer password.
- Update the password for your primary email account.
- Reset passwords for all financial accounts, particularly banking and credit card accounts.
- Conduct a malware scan using reputable security tools such as Microsoft Safety Scanner, F-Secure, AVG, Kaspersky, ESET, Trend Micro, or Bitdefender to detect and remove any potential threats.
Who to contact
You should flag the support fraud attempt to the following people:
- Report to Action Fraud.
Further action
Make sure to make anyone you know who may be susceptible to this kind of attack aware of this scam and train your staff not to respond.
Advice from Microsoft
If you are using an old version of Windows (8, 7, Vista, XP or older), install Microsoft Security Essentials. (Microsoft Security Essentials is a free program. If someone calls you to install this product and then charge you for it, this is also a scam.)Note: In Windows 8, Windows Defender replaces Microsoft Security Essentials. Windows Defender runs in the background and notifies you when you need to take specific action. However, you can use it anytime to scan for malware if your computer isn’t working properly or you clicked a suspicious link online or in an e-mail message.