Lang
1/27/24
The Iowa City Police Department is warning the public about a recent computer scam.
Officers have spoken to multiple individuals who report receiving a pop-up notice on their personal computers from an entity claiming to be Microsoft and directing them to dial a number for service. In one instance, an individual granted an unknown entity remote access to their computer. In each case the victim was then instructed to transfer funds into a cryptocurrency ATM.
Scammers will use a variety of fake pop-ups to frighten users about hackers, spyware, and identity theft. The pop-ups are not affiliated with Microsoft and are used to trick users into contacting the scammer.
Malwaretips.com offers the following tips:
- Close out the pop-up immediately and do not call the number listed. The alerts are fake.
- Disconnect your computer from the internet to terminate any potential connections.
- Run full antivirus scans using reputable software to uncover and remove any existing malware from the original infected website.
- Change all account passwords that were accessed on the computer, focusing on financial accounts. Enable two-factor authentication where possible.
- Contact banks to monitor for unauthorized transactions if the computer was compromised.
- Avoid visiting illicit torrent, gambling, streaming, and adult sites where tech support scam pop-ups are most common.
Iowa City Police advise the public to not deposit funds into remote accounts without first verifying the authenticity of the entity and transaction with their financial institution.