We recently came across a Cisco tech scammer who is targeting small businesses. Watch out for this scammer and don’t let him get away with your hard-earned money!
Checkout this video:
The Scam
There’s a new Cisco tech scammer making the rounds, and he’s pretty convincing. He’s been calling people up, pretending to be from Cisco, and telling them that their computer has been sending out error messages. He then offers to help fix the problem for a fee. Of course, there is no problem and the whole thing is a scam. Here’s what you need to know.
They call pretending to be from Cisco
These scammers call pretending to be from Cisco and try to get you to install malicious software on your computer. They may also try to trick you into giving them remote access to your computer. Once they have access, they can install programs that allow them to spy on you, steal your personal information, or even demand a ransom.
These scammers are very convincing and may even have some technical knowledge. They may spoof their caller ID to make it look like they are calling from Cisco, and they may use official-sounding jargon. But there are a few things you can do to protect yourself:
-Never give remote access to your computer to someone you don’t know and trust.
-If someone calls claiming to be from Cisco, hang up and call Cisco directly (using a number you know is legitimate) to verify the call.
-Be suspicious of unsolicited calls or emails asking you to install software or give remote access to your computer.
They say there’s been a problem with your IP address
The scammer will call claiming to be from Cisco and say that there’s been a problem with your IP address. They’ll say they need to remotely access your computer to fix it and will then ask for your login information.
Once they have access to your computer, they’ll install malware that can give them control of your device and steal your personal information. They may also try to sell you unnecessary or overpriced services.
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from Cisco, do not give them any information and hang up immediately. You can also report the call to Cisco’s security team.
They ask you to log into a remote desktop session
One of the most common tech support scams out there is when someone calls claiming to be from Cisco and asks you to log into a remote desktop session. They may say they need to help you fix a technical issue or update your software, but what they’re really after is your login information.
Once they have access to your computer, they can install malicious software or even steal sensitive information like login credentials and banking information. They may also try to sell you unnecessary services or products.
If you get a call like this, do not give the caller any access to your computer. If you’re not sure whether the call is legitimate, hang up and call Cisco customer support directly at 1-800-553-2447.
How to Protect Yourself
It seems like every day there’s a new scammer trying to steal your money or personal information. The latest one to watch out for is a Cisco tech scammer. This type of scammer will pretend to be from Cisco, a leading tech company, and try to get you to give them your personal information or money. Here’s how you can protect yourself from this type of scammer.
Be suspicious of unsolicited calls
If you get an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Cisco, or any other company, be suspicious. The caller may be trying to scam you out of money or personal information.
Here are some tips to protect yourself:
-Never give out personal information such as your Social Security number, credit card number, or bank account number to someone you don’t know and trust.
-If someone calling claims to be from Cisco and asks for remote access to your computer, hang up. Cisco will never ask for remote access to your computer.
-If you’re not sure if a call is legitimate, hang up and call the company back using a phone number you know is real, such as the one on their website. Don’t use the number the caller gives you.
-Cisco will never cold call you and ask you to pay for products or services. If you get a call like this, it’s a scam.
Remember, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious when giving out personal information and always verify the identity of the person calling before taking any action.
Don’t give out personal information
No one from Cisco will ever ask you for your personal information, password, or billing information over the phone or in an email. If you get a call or email like this, hang up or delete it. Do not respond. Do not give out any personal information.
Hang up and call the company back
If you get a call from someone claiming to be from Cisco, hang up and call the company back at a known, published phone number. Do not trust caller ID, as scammers can “spoof” or manipulate it to make it look like they are calling from a legitimate number.
Cisco will never cold-call you and try to sell you something. If you get a call from someone claiming to be from Cisco offering technical support or trying to sell you something, just Hang up.
What to Do if You’ve Been Scammed
If you’ve been scammed by a Cisco tech support scammer, don’t worry, you’re not alone. These scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and are targeting more and more people. The best thing you can do is to report the scam to the authorities and try to get your money back. Here’s what you need to know about Cisco tech support scammers and how to protect yourself.
Change your passwords
If you have been scammed, the first thing you should do is change your passwords. This includes your email password, your social media passwords, and any other accounts that the scammer may have had access to. It is also a good idea to change your security questions and answers for these accounts. You should also think about changing your banking information, such as your debit or credit card number.
If you have been scammed, you should also contact the companies that the scammer pretended to be from. This includes Cisco, Microsoft, or any other company that the scammer may have impersonated. These companies may be able to help you cancel any subscriptions or memberships that the scammer set up in your name.
You should also contact your local law enforcement and file a report. Include as much information as you can, such as the name of the person who scammed you, any online aliases they used, how they contacted you, and what they said. You should also include any screenshots or other evidence that you have of the scam.
Contact your bank
If you have been the victim of a scam, the first thing you should do is contact your bank. They may be able to help you get your money back, or at least put a stop to the payments being taken from your account.
You should also contact the police and report the crime. This will help them to catch the criminals and stop them from scamming anyone else.
It is also important to warn your friends and family about the scam, so that they do not become victims themselves.
Report the scam to the FTC
If you’ve been scammed, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint. The information you give the FTC can help law enforcement officials across the country stop scammers and get your money back. Be sure to include as many details as possible, including:
-The name, address, and phone number of the company, if you have it
-The name and phone number of the person who contacted you, if you have it
-The best time to reach you
-A description of what happened
