Attorney General of Kentucky warns against new computer virus scam

Andy Beshear, Attorney General of Kentucky, is warning the Kentuckians regarding computer virus scam. This computer virus scam took money from numerous people. Beshear's office has got complaints from numerous people in Fayette, Daviess, Franklin, Johnson and Jefferson counties in last two months. Victims of this computer virus scam together lost more than $92,000. In fact, a resident of Jefferson County alone lost $89,000 out of the total $92,000.

Beshear says that the scam happens after someone uses its computer and one fake pop-up window comes up. The fake pop-up window says that there is virus present on the computer, and the computer user must call on a 1-800 number. When the computer user calls that number, the user is connected to scammer who pretends to help them, but in reality only getting the login credentials of computer so that they can steal the financial and personal information.

Beshear's office is currently investigating and also working with various other agencies, however till now the money of the victim's hasn't been recovered.

Beshear said that "these scammers won't clean your hard drive, but they will clean out your bank account. Just as we wouldn't give a stranger a key to our homes, Kentuckians should never give a stranger access to their personal computer".

In another similar kind of scam, a scammer poses as a technician of Microsoft. The "technician" calls in order to help with the computer issues, however then instructs the call receiver to purchase Google Play cards so as to pay for this help. One victim of Franklin County lost $2,900 in this scam.

The office of the Attorney General recommends some tips for helping you, so that one can avoid becoming victim of these scams: if someone suspect that his/her computer is having a malware or virus, then update the operating system and security software or visit the company you trust and know well for assistance; never click on the link or call on the phone number from a unfamiliar email or pop-up message; remember as per official website of Microsoft, warning and error messages from Microsoft never have any phone numbers; do not provide a caller remote access of your personal device or computer; do not trust the numbers even when they are displaying legitimate tech support phone number or business name; and never purchase gift cards for making payment to the "tech support" callers.

» SPAMfighter News - 5/22/2019