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SCAM ALERT: Are you paying scammers to steal your personal information?

Posted at 5:22 PM, Aug 09, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-09 21:13:35-04

A Phishing scam that could put your personal information in danger. 

The new scam allows consumers to pay scammers to unknowingly give them access to their private information. 

 

 

John Eisele was on his computer one Friday afternoon searching the web when suddenly a blue box popped up on his screen. 

"It had an alert warning that my computer had been invaded," says Eisele. 

He says, at the same time it popped up a verbal message came through his speaker. 

According to Susann Miller with the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona - it's called the Microsoft Scam.

"It really grabs your attention and you can't turn it off," says Miller. "It's basically telling you that you have a virus on your computer they have noted and they can help you get rid of it before it eats all of your files."

Eisele says, the phone number that called him was (844) 616-8675. 

If you call this number and pay them for their services - not only are you giving them money but also access to your personal information. 

"They now have access to your computer because you have given them access to get on there and remove the virus that's not even there," says Miller. 

Luckily for Eisele, he realized it was a scam. He contacted his credit card company and called a trusted tech company to run an anti-virus program. 

Tips if you see a suspicious pop-up: 

  • Delete it
  • Run the anti-malware and anti virus program

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