Tech Support Scam

cargimook Said:

”Tech Support Scam: Has anyone else been contacted by [...] claiming to be Apple Support? I became acquainted with them after a pop up appeared on my screen saying my network was under attack by malware. A message in the window stated I needed to contact Apple support immediately at [...]“

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A Few Notes:

No. I have not come across this, though scams are going on here and abroad. So,

• Forward that eMail you are referring to, to: reportphishing@apple.com;

• add that domain to your filter list;

• add the phone number to your filter list;

• and Consider the Following:

MalwareBytes Premium for iPhone:

This application can be found in the AppStore. It allows its users to do their part in all of this. They can report scam calls, by submitting the phone number, to its developer and adding a few lines for notes on the report upon submittal. In high-relevance to this case, it blocks popups from those phone numbers their customers have reported. Texts can be set to be received only by those in your contact list.

[Edited by Moderator]

cargiemook Said:

"Thank you for your response it is helpful to learn what to do next to defend against this sort of scam. I was told by my bank to check with Apple to see what I could learn. They want me to come up with documentation to support disputing the charges to my credit card. At the same time I’m equally concerned about protecting myself in the future, so thank you."

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You are welcome. I am glad to have helped.

Just for Note: You are not speaking with Apple here. This is a volunteer forum. So, for reference, if you need to contact Apple, then here is the information to do so:

Contacting Apple:

• Contact Us - Choose Locations
• USA: 1(800)MY-APPLE
• Procced from there as Necessary.

Kurt Lang Said:

“Nothing against MalwareBytes, but you don't need to spend one cent on any such software. Apple will not make such calls - ever. You don't need software to tell you to hang up.”

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Correct.

So you are saying that you paid the scammer money? You can contact Apple, but I do not believe that they will be able to do anything since they have no part in such scams. I am surprised that your bank wants documentation from Apple; if you search for them and find any other complaints, simply send those links to your bank. They will usually investigate.

Remember this: no one in the world would ever know what is on your computer unless you gave them access. These scams happen thousands of times daily and, apparently, they are able to find enough victims to make it worthwhile.

In the meantime, if you gave the scammers access to your computer, you need to change all of your passwords, cancel your credit card due to fraud, etc. And, if it happens again, simply dismiss the message or email and do not click on any links in that message.

Kurt Lang wrote:

Nothing against MalwareBytes, but you don't need to spend one cent on any such software.

Apple will not make such calls - ever. You don't need software to tell you to hang up.

I pay for MWB Premium for both my Windoze PC AND my iPhone

iPhone app does some nifty stuff that iOS does not - cheap subscription

Nothing against MalwareBytes, but you don't need to spend one cent on any such software.

Apple will not make such calls - ever. You don't need software to tell you to hang up.