Mainers are being targeted by tech support con artists

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate Aging Committee, having recently received several reports from Maine residents who have lost money as the result of computer and tech support scams, is urging Mainers to be vigilant about this scam that can compromise important personal information and bank accounts.

A tech support scam may present itself in many forms, either as a computer popup, telephone call or text message. It often begins with victims receiving a prompt from scammers claiming to be “tech support representatives” and telling the victims that there is something wrong with their computer. Victims are then then told they need to contact a number to get their computer fixed.
Upon calling the number the scammers provide, the victims are asked to give up control of their computers and send money via wire transfer, credit card, gift card or cash in order to “fix” their computers. Last year, computer and tech support scams were the sixth-most reported complaint to the committee’s fraud hotline.
Members of the committee noted “legitimate” computer manufacturers “will not call and ask for access to your computer, nor will they request passwords.” Anyone with concerns or confusion about the way their computer programs are acting should seek out local businesses specializing in this area or contact the manufacturer directly. In all cases, be wary and cautious about providing any payment information to anyone who has contacted you or to someone you do not know.
Anyone who receives a suspicious call or is contacted by someone they do not know online can call the Senate Aging Committee’s toll-free fraud hotline at 1-855-303-9470.