Central Kentucky residents are receiving phone calls from scammers claiming to be with “Microsoft” giving a dire warning; renew your Microsoft license key or your computer will go dark.
The Better Business Bureau heard from a Lexington senior local who fell for the scam. The woman followed instructions from the caller allowing him access to her Windows laptop. He told her to go to a nearby retailer to buy iTunes cards in the amount of $300 to cover a “3 year license fee.” She did so, and read the numbers off the back of the cards to the caller. When the con artist asked for additional money, she suspected a scam and hung up.
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BBB also heard from a Bourbon County resident who received the call but did not fall for it. The scam can also occur via a “pop up” warning while a user is online. Allowing a scammer access to a computer can allow them to place viruses on the machine and steal personal and financial information.
Cyber experts say these scammers are counting on the fact that PC users don’t realize that most software license keys on an individual’s computer won’t expire. Certain software, like Microsoft Office suite might expire, but the operating system on a computer should not.
Microsoft warns of these scams on their website, stating “Microsoft will never proactively reach out to you to provide unsolicited PC or technical support. Any communication we have with you must be initiated by you.”
To add to the confusion, the scammers that claim to be from “Microsoft” tell victims on the phone that they can remove the viruses from your computer, but will do so for a fee.
BBB urges the public to hang up on these calls and ignore voice messages. Never pay unknown callers through untraceable methods like iTunes or other reloadable cards. Victims needing to hire a local computer service company to check their machines can contact BBB at www.bbb.org/lexington or (859) 259-1008 for names of BBB Accredited computer service businesses they can trust.
