With so many people working from home these days the demand for online computer help has skyrocketed. Along with this, the number of scams has also grown significantly. The frequency of these scams actually prompted Google to ban all third party tech support ads. Here are a few tips to help you avoid being scammed when seeking online computer help. The majority of these scams are geared at Seniors. Personally, I have always suspected they somehow have access to AARP. I can't see any other way these scammers find their Senior victims. This computer scam warning is especially important for Seniors to understand.

1. AVOID THESE TWO POPULAR COMPUTER SCAMS IN 2022

2. With so many people working from home these days the
demand for online computer help has skyrocketed. Along
with this, the number of scams has also grown significantly.
The frequency of these scams prompted Google to ban all
third-party tech support ads.
Here are a few tips to help you avoid being scammed
when seeking online computer help.
Always be sure to check reviews. Google reviews cannot be
faked. Follow this computer scam warning and stay safe.

3. Microsoft Office Scam Alert
Beware
‘Microsoft
Office’ USB
Sticks That
Show Up in the
Mail: It’s a
Scam

4. If you receive a Microsoft Office product randomly in the
mail, be careful:
It could be a Microsoft Office scam.

5. The scheme is elaborate, and it could end up tricking
unsuspecting consumers hoping to get free access to
Microsoft Office Professional, which can normally retail for
$439

6. The scam works by triggering a virus alert
once the USB stick is plugged into the
victim’s PC. To fix the issue, the alert tells the
user to call a customer support number. “As
soon as they called the number on screen,
the helpdesk installed some sort
of TeamViewer (remote access program)
and took control of the victim’s computer,”
In addition, the customer support technician
also asks for payment information.

7. It’s not the first-time scammers have circulated
malicious USB drives through the mail. In 2020, security
firm Trustwave also uncovered a malware-laden USB
stick sent through the mail that pretended to come
from Best Buy as $50 gift card promotion.

8. In a statement, Microsoft added: “We
take appropriate action to remove any
suspected unlicensed or counterfeit
products from the market and to hold
those targeting our customers
accountable.
We’d like to reassure all users of our
software and products that Microsoft
will never send you unsolicited packages
and will never contact you out of the
blue for any reason.
You can visit this(Opens in a new
window) support page for guidance on
how to avoid fraud, Microsoft Office
scam, and other scams.”

9. Websites that pop up a warning asking you to call a
number are always fake.
ALWAYS
No matter how realistic they appear

11. If you receive a phone call telling you that you
have a computer problem, it’s fake.
100% of the time

12. HANG UP!

13. Most of these scams apparently are geared at
Seniors. Personally, I have always suspected
they somehow have access to AARP. I can't
see any other way these scammers find their
Senior victims. This computer scam warning is
especially important for Seniors to understand.