An old scam has recently gotten a facelift to make it less threatening, and it has proved to be devastatingly effective.

You’ve probably run across scam sites offering technical support for your computer system before. Typically, they replicate the dreaded “Blue Screen Of Death,” and warn you that your computer has a serious problem. To fix it, you’re invited to call the number helpfully provided on the screen, and of course, when you do, you’ll be sold a service you don’t need, to fix a problem you don’t actually have.

The revised version of this scam is the same basic mechanism, but the scammers have gotten wise to the fact that scare tactics will, as often as not, drive the user viewing the page away, rather than prompt them to call the “tech support” number, so they’ve changed their approach.

In the new version of the scam, you’re treated to a simulated video chat screen, where someone informs you that you have a minor problem with your PC, and they’re here to help. You’ll be guided through a series of prompts (“would you like help fixing this problem,” “can you make a phone call right now,” and so forth, with the goal, of course, being to get you on the phone, where you’ll be “assisted” by a support technician who will be happy to fix all the computer problems you don’t actually have for a modest fee.

Don’t fall for these types of scams, and make sure your employees are aware of the latest wrinkle in this technique. If you genuinely feel that you’ve got computer issues that your IT staff can’t handle, give us a call, and a member of our team will be more than happy to work with you to get to the bottom of the problem.