If You Have A Computer, You Need To Watch This

As technology advances, so do the scams of con artists out to snag your cash. Dr. Phil is joined by AARP fraud expert Amy Nofziger to offer advice on how to avoid two of the most common scams that could mean financial disaster if you fall for them.

One of the newest scams comes via your telephone. If you’ve ever receive a call from a number you don’t recognize and the person says, “Can you hear me?” do not answer. The call is designed to get you to say “Yes” so it can be recorded.

“They can splice that ‘Yes’ and then they can add it on to a sales pitch to prove that you agreed to it,” Amy explains. “We don’t know if the scammers are going to use that information today or even 10 years from now. So if anyone ever calls you and is acting weird on the phone, hang up.”

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A second popular con that, according to AARP, could be the biggest consumer scam in the U.S. right now is called the Tech Support scam. This happens via phone call, email or a pop-up on your computer where someone claims to be from Microsoft or Apple and says that you have a serious virus on your computer and they need to access your computer to clear it away.

“Once they’re in your computer, they will wreak havoc and steal your money,” Amy says.

In the video above, Amy gives AARP’s top five tips to avoid tech support scams:

1. Hang up on the caller claiming to be tech support.
The longer you’re on the phone, the more time they have to trick you.

2. Don’t give up control of your computer.
They’ll say they need to remote access into your computer, but no legitimate company will ever call you and ask you that.

3. Don’t rely on caller ID.
Criminals can fake what appears on your caller ID. They can make it say it’s coming from a legitimate company or even a local number when, in fact, they might be out of the country.

4. Don’t ever give credit card or financial information to a caller claiming to be tech support.
Don’t give this type of information to anyone who calls you unsolicited. The only time you might do this is if you initiate the call and verify that you’re calling the real company.

5. Don’t ever give your password over the phone.
No legitimate company needs this information. If you have already given your password to someone, make sure to change it immediately.

“If you have a computer, you are at risk for this scam,” Amy says.

To learn more about how to protect yourself and your wallet, check out AARP.org/fraudwatchnetwork.