This article is probably the kind of thing you should print out and put next to your computer. Its probably worth forwarding onto your friends as well.
Scams are getting more and more personal, with maggots masquerading as human beings calling you up to fleece you up close and personal. Sometimes it is a very convincing looking email that traps you. If you are on the net or you answer your telephone (rather than always letting it go through to voicemail – scammers don’t leave messages) then you need to remain ever watchful.
Here are some simple rules I use to protect myself – hope they help.
1. NO MAJOR BUSINESS WILL EVER CALL YOU AND TELL YOU THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH YOUR MAC
If someone from Microsoft, Telstra, Apple….anyone, calls you out of the blue with bad news about your computer – HANG UP.
2. YOU ARE PHONED AND YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE LEGITIMATE CALL OR BROWSE TO THE COMPANY YOURSELF
Example…if Telstra call you, hang up, find the number for Telstra using google or the Yellow Pages and call them yourself. DON’T USE ANY NUMBERS OR EMAIL LINKS SUPPLIED BY THE CALLER.
3. NO MAJOR BUSINESS WILL EVER EMAIL YOU AND TELL YOU THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH YOUR ACCOUNT
No bank. No financial institution, no business worth its salt, will ever email you and ask for personal details, bank details or ask you to <<CLICK HERE>> in order to access your account. Delete the email and then log onto the bank or financial institution using the link you have always used and check it out yourself. Or call the bank or Apple or whoever and ask them if your account is OK.
2 comments
I have occasionally had called on my phoned about my computer. lI have always said that there is nothing wrong with my computer and hang up.
Thomas rang from what sounded like an Indian Call Centre, claiming rather forcibly to be a Telstra employee concerned at the misuse of my computer. He urged that I go to Finder/Applications/Utilities/ and then to type into the Search box – Concern. I asked for further identification and he gave me his Telestra phone number which I made a note of and hung up. I left a message for Remy at M@c Services and later learnt that my brother had received two such calls recently. The number given, 03 900 56048 replies – ‘This service is not currently available on our network’. Thanks Remy.