We have experienced a noticeable increase in calls from clients this year about scams and fraud attempts that they have experienced in their every day lives. Fortunately, none of those attempts dealt wit unauthorized access to their investment accounts that we manage for them.
In particular, LPL Fraud teams have received an increase in fraud referrals related to Microsoft and Apple tech support scams and knowing the signs of these sophisticated scams can prevent them from succeeding.
Scammers will portray themselves as an employee of a well-known technology company such as Microsoft or Apple and convince you there is a problem with your computer or a virus is working its way into your computer. This typically begins with an email, text message, or pop-up window requesting you to call the phone number of a scammer. After being contacted, the scammer will install malware into the computer and gain access to all information stored.
If you receive a pop-up window with a phone number, do not call the number listed and close the window. If you receive a call from someone you don’t know, claiming to be tech support, hang up. Companies will not contact you directly to address issues with your computer. Never give someone access to your computer or share any of your personally identifiable information (PII) or passwords.
Fraudsters are getting more and more creative. Look no further than this story from central Iowa last month where someone claims to have been scammed...into scamming.
Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss this topic in greater detail.