2020 Press Releases
**Consumer Alert** CFO Jimmy Patronis: Beware of Apple Support Tech Scam
Sep 20, 2023, 09:38
by
Megan Perry-Thibault
With recent reports of a Cape Coral resident falling victim to a $16,000 Apple Support tech scam, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis urges Floridians to stay on guard for fraud and know how to spot a tech support scam. Tech support scammers can trick you into believing you have a serious problem with your computer and that you need to pay for tech support services you don’t need by wiring money, putting money on a gift card, or using a money transfer app like Venmo or PayPal because they know those types of payments can be hard to reverse.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — With recent reports of a Cape Coral resident falling victim to a $16,000 Apple Support tech scam, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis urges Floridians to stay on guard for fraud and know how to spot a tech support scam. Tech support scammers can trick you into believing you have a serious problem with your computer and that you need to pay for tech support services you don’t need by wiring money, putting money on a gift card, or using a money transfer app like Venmo or PayPal because they know those types of payments can be hard to reverse.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “When a scammer gets access to your computer and its files, you are vulnerable to them stealing both your money and your personal information. Tech support scams are an imposter tactic to trick you into sending money for services or products that you don’t need or that never even existed. Stay vigilant and never give out information over the phone. If you feel you’ve been the victim of a tech support scam, report it immediately at FraudFreeFlorida.com.”
4 Tech Support Scam Tips
1. Beware of random tech support phone calls. Tech support scam artists may call and pretend to be a computer technician from a well-known company and they say they’ve found a problem with your computer. The caller will ask you to give them remote access to your computer, and pretend to run tests, and then try to make you pay to fix a problem that doesn’t exist.
2. Watch out for fake pop-up warnings. Scammers may try to trap you with a pop-up window that looks like an error message from your operating system or antivirus software. They might even use logos from trusted companies or websites. The message in the window warns of a security issue on your computer and tells you to call a phone number to get help. Close the window immediately and do not call the support number.
3. Verify online tech support ads and listings in search results. Tech support scammers try to get their websites to show up in online search results for tech support. Or they might run their own ads online. The scammers are hoping you’ll call the phone number to get help. Verify the company is legitimate before using their services.
4. Report tech support scams immediately. If you paid a tech support scammer with a credit or debit card, you may be able to stop the transaction. Contact your credit card company or bank right away. Tell them what happened and ask if they can reverse the charges. Report the scam to FraudFreeFlorida.com.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “When a scammer gets access to your computer and its files, you are vulnerable to them stealing both your money and your personal information. Tech support scams are an imposter tactic to trick you into sending money for services or products that you don’t need or that never even existed. Stay vigilant and never give out information over the phone. If you feel you’ve been the victim of a tech support scam, report it immediately at FraudFreeFlorida.com.”
4 Tech Support Scam Tips
1. Beware of random tech support phone calls. Tech support scam artists may call and pretend to be a computer technician from a well-known company and they say they’ve found a problem with your computer. The caller will ask you to give them remote access to your computer, and pretend to run tests, and then try to make you pay to fix a problem that doesn’t exist.
2. Watch out for fake pop-up warnings. Scammers may try to trap you with a pop-up window that looks like an error message from your operating system or antivirus software. They might even use logos from trusted companies or websites. The message in the window warns of a security issue on your computer and tells you to call a phone number to get help. Close the window immediately and do not call the support number.
3. Verify online tech support ads and listings in search results. Tech support scammers try to get their websites to show up in online search results for tech support. Or they might run their own ads online. The scammers are hoping you’ll call the phone number to get help. Verify the company is legitimate before using their services.
4. Report tech support scams immediately. If you paid a tech support scammer with a credit or debit card, you may be able to stop the transaction. Contact your credit card company or bank right away. Tell them what happened and ask if they can reverse the charges. Report the scam to FraudFreeFlorida.com.