Software Update Scam

WHAT IS A Software Update Scam?

Victims receive a call from someone claiming that their computer is in need of a security or software upgrade. To get the upgrade, victims must give their software user account ID and password to the caller. Sometimes, victims are asked to type several commands onto their computer, after which their computer system falls under someone else’s control. Alternatively, victims might be asked to purchase additional software online. When they do, the scammers take their credit card or bank account details for their own fraudulent use.

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  • Anyone who calls you with news intended to make you feel vulnerable, such as the security of your computer
  • Cold calls that lead to the caller asking for payment to perform a "software upgrade"
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  • Ignore such calls and never follow the caller's instructions to install software or type commands onto your computer
  • Never divulge personal info such as bank account details or credit card numbers to callers
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What to look out for

  • Anyone who calls you with news intended to make you feel vulnerable, such as the security of your computer
  • Cold calls that lead to the caller asking for payment to perform a "software upgrade"
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How to protect yourself

  • Ignore such calls and never follow the caller's instructions to install software or type commands onto your computer
  • Never divulge personal info such as bank account details or credit card numbers to callers
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RELATED SCAM STORIES

Showing 6 of 15 Stories
Showing 6 of 30 Stories
05 Nov 2019

Scammer couldn't answer my simple question

Caller identified as singtel stating that my internet has been compromised by an overseas IP Address. She asked several questions about my network which I refused to answer and instead asked for the IP…...

01 Oct 2019

When I offered to call caller back, she hung up the phone!

Got a call today (1/10/2019 at 10:30 am) where the lady said she is calling from Singtel and that they have noticed many foreign ids accessing my computer and she will help me flush them out. I asked…...

25 Sep 2019

Scammer spoofed Alexandra Hospital's number

I received a call this morning on my 'private' handphone number (NUMBER WHICH IS ONLY KNOWN TO A FEW CLOSE RELATIVES AND NO ONE ELSE). Being skeptical, I googled the number and saw it was from Alexandra…...

16 Sep 2019

Caller claimed to be from "Starhub"

female caller with an Indian accent called to inform that they are from starhub and they have detected people illegally using my home connection. my ISP is not starhub. In any case, i "followed" their…...

15 Sep 2019

Scammer hung up when I offered to call the police

He contacted me on friday (13/9/19) saying that my siNgtel Home wifi is having some proBlem. (Best part was i am not using singtel). He told me to check how many lights were on, on the wifi router. He…...

13 Sep 2019

Scammer got nasty when I I didn't follow his instructions

They called me to informed me that my Internet has been hacked, so they asked me to follow their instructions to resolve the issue and when I didn't comply, they got nasty!...

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