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Microsoft tech support scam – how to stay safe

Microsoft is warning people to be on the lookout for a new scam involving phishing emails promising you technical support.

Microsoft is warning of a new tech support scam, which is doing the rounds.

Up until now tech support scammers have cold-called people in order to try and convince them to visit fake Microsoft websites, but now the software company is warning people to be on their guard against fake tech support emails too.

Con artists have used phishing emails for decades now to try and get people to click on links that send them to bogus bank websites or email log-in pages in an effort to capture personal data.

These emails are now appearing in inboxes but trying to get you to follow a link to a fake tech support website instead.

How it works

The emails could be from any well-known brand. Scammers have faked emails from LinkedIn, Alibaba and Amazon for a start. The email claims to be an invoice, cancelled order or social media message but it contains dodgy links.

The difference now is the link doesn’t take you to a fake login page for the website in question but to a fake technical page instead.

“Instead of pointing to phishing sites designed to steal credentials, the links lead to tech support scam websites, which use various scare tactics to trick users into calling hotlines and paying for unnecessary ‘technical support services’ that supposedly fix contrived device, platform, or software problems,” says Microsoft malware researcher, Alden Pornasdoro.

Microsoft’s data indicated that three million people every month are exposed to tech support scams – although it doesn’t know how many people lose money as a result.

If you use Microsoft software then make sure you use the in-built tools to block scammers. Windows 10, Outlook.com, Edge and Exchange Online Protection all have security features that, when activated, can block tech support scams and other phishing emails from your inbox.

Microsoft also points out that it never offers users unsolicited tech support, so if you receive a call or email out of the blue purporting to be from the IT giant it is not genuine.

Key signs of a scam email

As you’ll know by now, there are plenty of classic red flags to look out for when it comes to scam emails:

  • The sender’s email address doesn’t match with the real organisations web address;
  • You aren’t addressed by your proper name, instead there is a generic greeting such as ‘dear customer’;
  • There is pressure to act quickly;
  • You need to click on a link in order to act;
  • You are asked for personal information such as a username, password or your bank details;
  • Mistakes – scam emails often contain spelling and grammatical errors.

You can report scams to Action Fraud through its online reporting tool or by phoning 0300 123 2040. If you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, check your credit report for anything suspicious.   

Watch out for these cunning cons:

Supermarket voucher scams: how to stay safe

HSBC scam warning: how to stay safe

NatWest email scam that features a 'secure' page

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  • 07 September 2017

    I used to get a lot of calls regarding hearing loss from compensation claims companies. I always answered, in the same way, saying that I could not hear what they were saying as my hearing had been damaged whilst working in a noisy industrial environment. This used to wind them off the clock and eventually they would hang up on me!

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  • 06 September 2017

    I ask them what version of Windows I'm using and whether its 32 or 64 bit. They don't know but if they were genuine they would. One scammer who I said was lying to me (Microsoft don't ever try to contact users) faked genuine outrage wondering how I could ever think that of a Microsoft employee but still couldn't answer the question. Scam emails - I get fewer now than I used to but then I'm ultra cautious about where I go on the internet.

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  • 05 September 2017

    *Sigh!* It's happened again. It's not a Microsoft technical support scam, it's an email from some sc*mb*g PRETENDING to be Microsoft. Always check the senders credentials. They will say something like "Microsoft Tech Support <info74629@mail.co.ru>" I've received 11 various dodgy emails straight into my junk folder today alone. It's a hazard of the 21st century I'm afraid.

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