Tech-Support Scams Still a Problem, but Things Are Improving

Always receive an unsolicited email or phone call from someone in "tech support" maxim your reckoner is riddled with viruses? How most a pop-up window or advertizement claiming your reckoner is infected? You're not alone.

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According to a contempo Microsoft survey of 16,048 developed internet users in 16 countries, more than iii in 5 consumers have encountered tech-support scams, and 1 in 5 has lost coin to this type of fraud.

But hither's the practiced news: Microsoft institute that tech-back up scams take become less pervasive than they were in 2022, when the software giant released its inaugural version of this survey. That change was largely driven past a decline in pop-upwardly windows and ads—but Microsoft found that other types of tech-back up scams, including unsolicited calls, emails, and website redirects, accept besides gone down.

Moreover, fewer people lost money to tech back up scams: Six percentage did in 2022 compared with 9 percentage in 2022.

"Unsolicited contact has get a red flag for consumers that signals a potential scam," Microsoft wrote.

Although things are getting better, tech-support scams are yet a problem. Microsoft plant that millennials, males, and Generation Z are most likely to lose money to this type of fraud, oddly enough because of their tech savvy.

"They engaged in riskier online behavior such equally visiting torrent sites, have a greater familiarity with technology companies than older generations, and were potentially hurt by overconfidence in their device and web expertise," Microsoft wrote.

When people fall victim to tech-support scams, money isn't the only thing they lose. Fifty-two percent of victims spent time checking and repairing their PCs. These incidents can also mess with people'due south peace of heed; more than 75 per centum said they suffered moderate to severe stress thanks to the fraud.

Microsoft says it receives about eleven,000 complaints from tech-support scam victims around the world every calendar month. The company recommends that people be suspicious of unsolicited pop-ups; if yous see i, don't click on it or phone call the number.

Microsoft and other reputable tech companies do not proactively reach out to customers to provide unsolicited tech support. If you take an consequence with your device, you must initiate contact.

If you think you lot may have been the victim of a tech back up scam, consider reporting the incident to Microsoft and your local consumer protection authority.

Virtually Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo is PCMag'southward skillful on fettle and smart home products. Teaching yoga for nearly x years has helped her in evaluating a range of connected wellness products including fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, rowers, smart scales, stationary bikes, forcefulness grooming machines, treadmills, and more. Angela also tests smart home devices from her ranch in Florida, including air purifiers, kitchen appliances, and robot vacuums, but to name a few.