The Federal Trade Commission warns that just because that pop-up or ad for a “free” computer scan has a Windows logo, doesn’t mean you can trust it.
Scammers are impersonating well-known companies and scaring you into paying to fix computer problems that might not even exist, the FTC said.
Lying about finding security threats on your computer — to sell you a service to repair your computer over the phone — is illegal. But that’s how the FTC says Reimage and Restoro convinced people — many of them older adults — to pay tens of millions of dollars for software and services to repair made-up problems.
The FTC says the companies charged people $27-$58 to “repair” the fake computer threats and warnings, but it didn’t end there. They often told customers that the problem couldn’t be fixed and then recommended services by a technician that cost $199 to $499 more.
To settle the lawsuit brought by the FTC, the company agreed to pay $26 million in refunds to affected customers. The settlement also bans the company from making false statements about the performance and security of a computer and using deceptive telemarketing.
To avoid tech support scams:
- Know that legitimate tech companies won’t contact you by phone, email, or text message to tell you there’s a problem with your computer.
- Never click a link or call a number in a pop-up warning. Honest tech companies won’t contact you unexpectedly and ask you to do that.
Learn more at ftc.gov/techsupportscams. And share what you know with people you care about so they avoid these scams, too. Suspect a tech support scam? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.