Upfirst
Community Starlight
july 2023
Fraud Prevention and Investigation
By Mike OSullivan, July 9, 2023, Marquette, Michigan, USA
My husband, Todd Carter, after a long and successful career in computer technology instruction and practice, at age 68, became sick with cancer and was on multiple pain medications the day he fell victim to a tech support pop-up scam.
He wants to tell his story because he knows this is a common scam, and he would not have fallen for it had he not had impaired thinking from pain medications. The simple solution to the pop-up scam is to turn off the computer. Then turn it back on. The computer will no longer be locked.
When I came home from work on this day, Todd was frustrated and almost in tears. He realized by the time I arrived home he was being scammed. But by that time, the scammers, supposedly Microsoft technical support specialists, convinced Todd to give them remote access to our computer. They also convinced Todd to pay them $200 for their services to clear the computer of the virus that some “bad guys” installed.
Todd took the computer to PC Medic in Marquette and paid $75 for a scan for viruses and malware and for removal of any remote access applications. We haven't had any problems with the computer since then.
Todd and I had a community presentation scheduled for the next day while our computer was still in the shop at PC Medic, so we shopped locally and purchased a new laptop. We needed it anyway. I had just accepted a new coding work project.
Because I was in the process of onboarding for a new project, we became concerned about my identity being compromised. We decided to close our bank accounts just in case. Jannette Hansen at Nicolet Bank handled the entire process for us.
I froze my credit at Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Todd left his credit open. We don't want to lose our tier 10 rating on insurance.
Todd is recovering from cancer treatments and is no longer on any pain medications. Todd manages our business and personal networks. His technical and troubleshooting skills have returned.
Come and visit Todd and see his new artwork at Hiawatha Artists in The Round 2023, July 22 and 23, 10am to 6pm.
--Mike OSullivan is a writer, publisher, web site designer, and coding consultant living in Marquette with her husband, Todd Carter. Mike owns Upfirst.com. Todd is a painter, photographer, graphic artist, and publisher. Todd owns ToddCarterFolkArt.com.
From Microsoft Tech Support Scams:
Tech support scams are a global problem, impacting people of all ages. It started with cold calls, with scammers pretending to be Microsoft employees fraudulently notifying people that they were victims of malware infections or other harmful attacks.
This evolved into fake “pop-ups” displayed on people’s computers, again trying to convince them that something was wrong with their computers so the scammers could extract payment for “fixing” fake issues.
Today, fraudsters have adapted to evolving technology by using more sophisticated tactics or ploys to victimize users online.
References:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/protect-yourself-from-tech-support-scams-2ebf91bd-f94c-2a8a-e541-f5c800d18435
https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2021/07/21/tech-support-scams-adapt-2021-microsoft-study/
Retrieved July 9, 2023
Fraud Prevention and Investigation Presentation Coming to Mead Auditorium at NMU Tuesday, July 25 10am-noon
Northern Center for Lifelong Learning (NCLL)
sponsored by
Northern Michigan University
NCLL Liaison:
Mike OSullivan
Owner, Upfirst.com
Presenters: Trooper Thomas Kinnunen
Community Services
Negaunee Post
Michigan State Police
and
Jannette Hansen
Universal Banker
Nicolet National Bank
Marquette
NCLL Cost: $5 members/$10 non-members
Contact NCLL Liaison Mike OSullivan
for more information or to register
906-250-9492
mosullivan@upfirst.com
Contact Upfirst
Todd Carter
Michaeleen (Mike) OSullivan
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