Fell for scam

[insidehealth1]

I got a call asking to remote into my computer because there was a problem and I allowed it. Removed. Now I know after reading posts here it was a scam. What should I do to safeguard myself?

 

[bignastyid]

Change all your passwords on an uncompromised system. Nuke and pave(clean reinstall) and restore data from backup(after systems anti-virus/anti-malware has been installed and updated).

 

[rgd1101]

stop answering phone call from unknown #.

 

[fredfinks]

I got a good one with my ISP's banner telling me for my loyalty i have been awarded an Iphone X.

Surveys where youll be awarded stuff.
Phone calls out of the blue from a department or company wanting information or $.
Phone calls from microsoft or other tech companies saying you have a virus!
Emails from shipping saying you have unclaimed packages.
Emails from sexy girls.
Emails from nigerian princes (nigerian kings are legit).

Should be said that there are a lot of messages or emails going around that imitate a bank or a service provider that requests you to update your information or similar. You'll click the link and it takes you to a mock site. They are getting better each day and to the unwary/naive it will look just like the real thing.

Never do this. The bank or provider wont request info this way.

 

[Saga Lout]

If you're running Windows 7 or eariler, go into Control Panel. Windows 10 needs you to press the Windows key and R together then type
control
into the box. That brings up the Control Panel these days.

Double click on System then a page appears with Remote Settings on the left hand corner.

Click on Advanced and untick Allow remote etc" then alter the standard six hours down to 3 minutes. Click OK and that takes you back to the original form. Now is the time to untick "Allow remote control" and when eth Advanced button goes grey, click Apply and OK your way out. Restart the machine to make sure the settings change.

That makes it a lot harder to gain access but make sure all your family know how to deal with those harmful telephone calls n the future.

 

[fredfinks]

i got a phone call just 30 minutes ago!
I phoned back and the poor lady who's had her number spoofed is at wits end. People abusing her etc. No authority is handling it and its been happening for months.
No agency wants to hear from her. Its just her problem.

 

[popatim]

And why would you call back? LoL

I do feel sorry for the lady in question, the same thing happened to a friend of mine so I answered the call as well and got someone telling me that the warranty on my (12yr old) vehicle was about to expire... He had to get a new phone number and Verizon blocked the number on their end but these spammers just switch to a new number sadly. 🙁
Seems like phone companies don't care about users, just minutes being used.

 

[KentGorrell]

Firstly - It is appalling that our governments allow this to go on. They could, if they wanted to, block scam calls from foreign call centers.
I'm on the national do not call register but this does not deter foreign call centers.
We need to apply political pressure.

Secondly - *** If I don't recognize a number then I may pick up the phone but say nothing. ****
Call centers robo call and only put the call through to an operator once they hear a voice.
If you don't say anything then they just hang up.
Whereas a legitimate caller will speak and you can then answer them.

To protect your PC, you should have two user logins for yourself. One with Admin privileges and the other as a regular use.
Only login as the Admin if you need to install software. If you aren't logged in as an Admin then hackers, who get into your system, don't either.

 

[USAFRet]

Secondly - *** If I don't recognize a number then I may pick up the phone but say nothing. ****
Call centers robo call and only put the call through to an operator once they hear a voice.
If you don't say anything then they just hang up.
Whereas a legitimate caller will speak and you can then answer them.

Scammers have gotten MUCH better.
Answer and don't say anything...."Hi, this is Kathy from Card Services. How are you today? We've noticed some unusual activity blah blah blah..."
This is a recorded voice, not an actual person...yet. Sounds very, very much like an actual human.

 

[tom42]

Try nomorobo.com. It eliminates a lot of them after the first ring. And for landlines, it's free.

 

[KentGorrell]

@Night Owl, NomoRobo looks great. Thanks for that tip.

However I'm not in the US. And after googling, I came across a few posts from people pushing our local carriers to get on board.

We do have a similar thing here for mobiles. Should I Answer? and Hiya

Each time I get one of these calls on my VOIP I do mark the number as nuisance call in my router.

Most of the nuisance calls come in on my Mobile and since everyone who knows me calls me on my landline, I don't answer my mobile unless I recognise the number. A legitimate caller will leave a message. Even then, if it isn't someone I know, I don't return the call.

Once scam involves the scammer sending you a text or leaving a message for you to call back. The number is a premium number and can cost you $$$$.