Wayman AME Church - FRAUD BULLETIN

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FRAUD BULLETIN
Posted on Fri, Feb 05 2010

JENNIFER JOYCE, CIRCUIT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

Fraud Bulletin

Tech Support Callers May Be Identity Thieves

The AARP Bulletin recently issued a report of an opportunistic new fraud targeting individuals concerned with protecting their computers from harmful software.

In this scam, criminals posing as representatives of security software vendors such as Microsoft, McAfee, or Norton directly contact homeowners. These thieves claim that the homeowner has inadvertently downloaded a virus that is stealing his or her stored personal data and files. The victim is urged to defeat the “virus” by immediately going online to download software to stop the transfer of information.

In fact, warns Paul Aziz, an internet security instructor at OregonCollege, this software gives the thieves remote access to your computer and everything on it- including banking information. Other variations on this clever scam direct a computer user to the website www.logmein123.com. This website also grants a criminal remote access to your computer. A victim might even be asked directly for her user name and password.

To avoid this scam:

Always keep virus protection software updated and only download security software from an authorized vendor. Be suspicious if you are notified by telephone or e-mail that your computer has a virus. If an actual virus is detected you should receive a security update or warning directly on your computer. Be wary of any caller who tells you to go online to “fix the problem.” Contact your security software vendor directly to verify this claim.

If you believe you have been victimized by a tech support scam, contact a computer repair service to end the hacker’s remote access. Notify your bank and credit cards companies and monitor your statements for any unauthorized charges.

To Pursue Justice For All Citizens Within The Highest Standards Of Ethical Behavior And Professionalism.

JENNIFER M. JOYCE

& THE CIRCUIT ATTORNEY' S OFFICE

Fraud Assistance Hotline: (314) 612-1412

Office Phone: (314) 622-4941

Fax: (314) 622-3369

Web: www.circuitattorney.org

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