As Cybersecurity Awareness Month comes to a close, it is important to remember to be cyber aware not just in October but all throughout the year. Lately, we have had reports of several customers having received fraudulent phone calls, emails, or pop ups from people claiming to be Microsoft. Please do not allow yourself to fall for this, Microsoft will not contact you out of the blue. Take a look at what our IT Manager, Tate Nance, has to say about these scams:
According to the FBI, tech support scams were responsible for $1.464 billion in losses in 2024. Among the major tech vendors that are frequently impersonated is Microsoft. The tech titan is currently the 2nd-largest company in the world by market cap and is a household name in the United States. Windows, Microsoft’s flagship operating system, is installed on over a billion devices around the world. It’s fair to say that most people use a Windows device either at home or at work. As a result, it has become a prime target for scammers looking to exploit its reputation. Unfortunately, we have had several customers who have fallen victim.
Microsoft scams are a notorious tech support scam and are typically delivered in 3 forms: by phone, by email, or by pop-up (scareware). Let’s break each of these down.
Phone | Microsoft Scams
You receive an unsolicited phone call or text from someone claiming to be a Microsoft representative. They will make false claims about your computer, such as its infected with malware, in need of repair to make it faster, or that they found illegal content on it and you’re being fined or face potential jail time. They will then request payment or remote access to your computer.
Here’s the truth…
Microsoft does not make unsolicited phone calls or texts to request payment or provide technical support. In simple terms, Microsoft will never call you about any of the fake issues above. Microsoft also has no power to confront you over illegal activity, only law enforcement can do that. The scammers will often use spoofing to manipulate caller ID to make the call appear to be Microsoft, which is why you should also never trust caller ID.
Email | Microsoft Scams
You receive an unsolicited email that appears to be an official Microsoft correspondence. It may look official and include Microsoft’s logo and branding on the email. It may mention fake issues such as those previously mentioned. It may even mention that your Microsoft account is facing suspension and you need to act immediately and reset your password or provide personal information in order to keep your account active.
Here’s the truth…
Microsoft does not send unsolicited emails requesting personal information or regarding anything related to the fake issues previously mentioned. You will also not receive a request to reset your Microsoft password unless you initiated yourself if you were trying to sign into a Microsoft product and personally requested a password reset. Also, the scammers will often use a phony email address that may include variations of the name Microsoft to make it appear official.
Scareware | Microsoft Scams
You are browsing a website and suddenly see a pop-up that says your computer has been infected with malware. You may even hear an alarm sound play through your computer’s speakers. It will prompt you to call a phone number. If called, someone claiming to be a Microsoft representative will answer and will instruct you to perform actions on your computer, such as navigating to a website to start a remote support session.
Here’s the truth…
This is either a malicious web page or a malicious advertisement called scareware. If you are unable to close it, you can simply power your computer off and back on. Your computer will never display elaborate messages saying your computer is compromised, or try to scare you with exaggerated visual/audio content. Any real security alerts on your computer will not appear inside your web browser and will not ask you to call a phone number to resolve. If you are ever concerned about your computer’s integrity, run a routine scan with your installed antivirus program (ex. Windows Defender, Norton, McAfee, etc.) or take your computer to a local computer shop to be professionally inspected.
Additional Information
https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveweisman/2025/08/30/tech-support-scams-dramatically-increasing/
https://www.foxnews.com/tech/protecting-yourself-from-microsoft-tech-support-scams
https://www.ncoa.org/article/protecting-yourself-against-tech-support-scams/
If you or someone you know finds yourself dealing with a Microsoft scam, please stop and think about the conversation you are having. Do not allow anyone to have access to your computer or dial in remotely, do not give out sensitive information, do not be fooled by pictures or videos you may see come up on your screen. If you are on a PC, unplug your computer immediately and take it to a local shop as soon as possible. If you are on a laptop or tablet, turn the device off immediately and take it to a local shop as soon as possible. Gadsden has two of the very best companies with workers skilled in removing malware, viruses, or anything else that may have been left behind by these scammers. Please contact either Micro Excell Computers located at 101 Broad Street, Gadsden (256) 547-8500 or Southern Data Automation Inc located at 825 Old S 4th Street, Gadsden (256) 546-4010. They will be happy to assist you with all your computer needs. Also, contact our Fraud Department if you have worries or concerns about this or any other scam.
