Federal law enforcement is advising residents to be aware of tech support scams that allow criminals control of the computers and financial accounts of victims.
A recent statement by the Pittsburgh Division of the FBI detailed the increasing number of people falling victim to these kinds of scams.
Scammers posing as a customer support representative from a reputable tech company may call, email, or text about an alleged compromise of financial accounts.
Victims are directed to move money to fictitious crypto accounts or install free, remote desktop software as part of a monitoring strategy but then the scammers liquidate actual bank accounts.
Last year, over 200 people in Western Pennsylvania lost over $4 million to these types of scams.
The FBI recommends that residents resist pressure to “act quickly”, do not allow for computer repair with “remote access”, and do not trust companies that demand payment through gift cards or Bitcoin.
