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Computer Scam Alert OF BOSTON

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Scamming the Scammers - How to Handle Fake Tech Support Calls

Dumb Computer Repair teaches seniors how to avoid scams, fake tech calls, and online fraud.

Key Scam Alerts in 2025

Tech‐support pop-up / scareware scams
For example, fraudsters display urgent alerts (often claiming to be from Microsoft, or “your antivirus”) telling you the computer is infected or locked, and asking you to call a number, give remote access, or pay.
– The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns: legitimate tech companies don’t call you unsolicited or ask you to pay via gift cards for support.
– One alert notes: “That urgent pop-up message … could be a way to get you into a tech support trap.
AI-driven / deep-fake scams
Scammers are using generative AI tools (deepfake video/voice, synthetic images) to make phishing, impersonation, and investment scams more convincing.
Examples: fake video calls with your “boss” or “family member,” or “authentic-looking” websites demanding money/credentials.
Smishing (SMS phishing) & text-based scams
For example: the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warning about a surge in smishing attacks: fraudulent text messages to iPhone/Android users, fake delivery/toll alerts, malicious links.
These often feel benign e.g., “Your package is held” or “You have outstanding tolls” but lead to credential or financial theft.
Job-offer / work-from-home scams
According to security firm McAfee: job-related scams exploded over 1,000% from May–July 2025.
These scams lure you with “great job” offers, ask for your info, bank account, or you pay upfront for “equipment/training”.
Online purchase / e-commerce scams
Fake stores, bogus listings, social-media marketplace traps. The scam landscape for “online purchase” remains high risk with scammers setting up bogus storefronts or accepting payment and never delivering.
Debt/collection scams & impersonation
Scammers impersonate a bank, government, or a company, then claim you owe money, or must pay “now” to avoid legal action. Because of the urgency and fear tactics, many fall for it.
QR-code / “quishing” scams (less obvious but rising)
Example in Australia: scammers overlay fake/modified QR codes in retail or restaurants; scanning downloads malware or steals information.
Fake notifications from official-looking entities (e.g., DMV, tolls)
Text messages pretending to come from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or similar asking for payment of “outstanding tolls” or “license suspension” leading to phishing links.

What You Should Do / Stop & Think Steps

Never give remote access to someone who called you unsolicited claiming your computer is infected.
If you see a scary pop-up and it has a phone number or demands payment immediately — treat it as a scam.
When you get a text or email asking for credentials/payment: pause, verify the sender via another trusted route (call them, use their website).
Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
Keep your OS and browser up to date.
When shopping online, use trusted platforms, check seller reviews, don’t click unknown links.
If something feels urgent/fear-inducing and you’re being pressured — step back and verify.

🚨 DETAILED LIST OF 2025 SCAMS TARGETING SENIORS

1️⃣ Tech-Support Pop-Up Scam (Most Common in 2025)

How the scam starts

A pop-up appears on your screen saying:

“WARNING – Your computer is infected!”
“Your banking information is at risk.”
“Do not shut down your PC!”
“Call Microsoft/Apple immediately at this number.”

These pop-ups often:

Make loud alarm sounds
Freeze your screen
Flash red danger symbols

What the scammer wants

Remote access to your computer
Credit card or bank information
To install malware
To sell fake “security services”

How seniors fall into it

The message looks official and scary. Many seniors think it is real.

✅ What to do if it happens

Do NOT call the number
Do NOT click anything
Turn off the computer
Restart it
If unsure, call a trusted local repair shop (NOT the number that is on the screen)

2️⃣ Family Emergency (Grandparent Scam)

How the scam begins

You receive a call like:

“Grandma, it’s me…”
“Please don’t tell my mom…”
“I’m in trouble…”

The caller may:

Cry
Whisper
Sound injured
Sound EXACT like your grandchild using AI voice cloning

What they ask for

Gift cards
Bank transfers
Cash drop-offs
“Bail money”
Crypto payments

✅ What to do

Hang up
Call the REAL grandchild or family member
Never send money during a surprise call

AI voice-cloning is extremely convincing in 2025. Always verify.

3️⃣ Fake Refund Scams (Amazon, Norton, PayPal, Best Buy)

How the scam begins

You get:

A phone call
An email
A pop-up
A text message

Saying:

“We accidentally charged you $399.”
“Click here for refund.”
“We owe you money.”

The trap

They make you remote into your own bank account.
Then they “pretend” you typed too much (example: $3,999 instead of $399).

Then they say:

“You must send back the difference or I will lose my job.”
“We need your help, please.”

✅ What to do

Hang up
Never give remote access
Never refund money to a stranger

4️⃣ Government Impersonation Scams

Scammers pretend to be from:

Social Security
IRS
Medicare
Police
Court system

What they say

“Your Social Security number is suspended.”
“You owe money or you will be arrested.”
“We need your Medicare number to verify your benefits.”
“There is a warrant out for you.”

✅ What to remember

The government NEVER calls seniors unexpectedly.
They ALWAYS send mail first.

5️⃣ Bank Impersonation & “Move Your Money” Scam

How it works

Scammer pretends to be from your bank and says:

“Your account is under attack.”
“Move your money to a safe account.”
“We are protecting your savings.”

✅ Truth

Banks NEVER ask you to:

Transfer money
Buy gift cards
Withdraw cash
Send money to “secure accounts”

If they do — it is a scam.

6️⃣ Medicare, Health & Drug Plan Scams

Common messages seniors get:

“You’re eligible for free medical supplies.”
“You qualify for free braces.”
“Your Medicare account has been suspended.”
“We need your Medicare number to process your annual benefits.”

✅ Medicare will NEVER:

Ask for your number by phone
Offer “free” devices randomly
Threaten to cancel your benefits

7️⃣ Romance/Friendship Scams

Who scammers pretend to be

Widows
Widowers
Military soldiers
Travelers
Lonely grandparents

What they do

They build trust for weeks or months.

Then they say:

“I need money to come visit you.”
“My bank account is frozen.”
“My child is sick.”

✅ Golden rule

If anyone online asks for money — even after months —
it is a scam 100% of the time.

8️⃣ “Winning Money” Scams

Seniors get calls saying:

“You won a sweepstakes.”
“You won a car.”
“You won $2 million from Publishers Clearing House.”

But you must pay:

Tax fees
Processing fees
Delivery fees

✅ Real prizes NEVER ask for money up front.

✅ How Seniors Can Protect Themselves (Step-by-Step)

✔ 1. Hang up on suspicious calls

Don’t worry about being rude — scammers rely on politeness.

✔ 2. NEVER give out personal info

Not even:

Medicare number
SSN
Bank details
One-time passcodes

✔ 3. Never pay with gift cards

If someone asks for:

Target
Walmart
Visa
Amazon
Best Buy

…it is always a scam.

✔ 4. Do not click links in texts or emails

Go directly to the real website.

✔ 5. Set up call blocking

Your phone carrier can help with this for free.

✔ 6. Talk to family before sending money

Even texting “ARE YOU REALLY CALLING ME?” can stop a scam.

✔ 7. Use strong passwords

Avoid birth year, pet names, or addresses.

✔ 8. Ask a trusted computer shop

Local shops (like yours) can help seniors understand what’s real and what’s fake.

✅ If a Senior Already Fell for a Scam

Here’s what to do immediately:

🔹 Step 1: Call your bank or credit card

Explain “I think I was scammed.”
They will freeze charges.

🔹 Step 2: Change your passwords

Especially for email and banking.

🔹 Step 3: Run a virus scan or visit a repair shop

Scammers may have installed malware.

🔹 Step 4: Report it

Federal Trade Commission (FTC.gov)
Local police (optional but helpful)

Dumb Computer Repair is here for you:

Friendly, patient help
Remote login available
$15 off seniors coupon
100% guaranteed service

We will check your computer, clean it, and make sure everything is safe.

📍 Contact Dumb Computer Repair

📞 Text or Call: 781-408-1200
🌐 www.dumbcomputerrepair.com
📍 Stoughton, Boston, Brockton, Canton, Abington, Milton & nearby towns

Here are some of the names that they use

How to Avoid a Tech Support Scam!

1. Hang up if anyone calls you from Microsoft to repair your computer.

2. Avoid: if you hear a heavy accent. (They may be calling you from another country)

3. Don't give personal information about yourself over the phone.

4. Don't buy any Maintenance agreement or Warranty program.

5. Scammer will direct you to a websites and ask you to enter your credit card number and other personal information.

6. Don't give control of your computer to a third party who calls you out of the blue.

7. Be very careful to rely on caller ID alone to authenticate a caller. Scammers can spoof caller ID numbers.they may appear to be caller you from a legitimate company or a local number.

8. Be very careful with online search result when looking for Computer Repair Service. Scammers sometimes place online ads to convince you to call them. They also pay a lot of money to get high Google rating to compete with local legit Computer Repair Companies.

9. Never give out your password over the phone.

10. These scammers will try to sell you Microsoft Windows Defender that comes free with your computer's

11. Tried googling the company's name to see if anything fraudulent comes up, before dealing with this company. Remember Microsoft will not call you out of the blue to fix your PC.

12. Be very careful what you download into your PC, a lot of these free software are bundled with spyware and malware that will take over your PC.

I have already use one of these scam companies, please tell me what should I do next

1. You should call your bank and order a new credit card right away to avoid additional charges from the scammers.(use bank phone number that is behind your credit card)

2. Change your computer password.

3. Save all of your important documents into an external hard drive or a USB flash drive.

4. Remove your external hard drive or flash drive from your computer

5. Run a free version of Malwarebytes to see if your PC is truly infected

6. If infected, update your free version of Malwarebytes and do a full computer scan.

7. You may want to call your local computer repair company if your computer is locked up or have some type of blue screen of death.