We will explain in detail the causes of support fraud, how to eliminate it, and the techniques used.

A support scam is a scam that pretends that your computer is infected with a virus. Most people are not infected with a virus. Please deal with it calmly.
First, please do (or do not do) the following:

• There is a text urging you to call, but never do so.
• Refuse when prompted to perform remote control
• Force shut down your computer (press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds), then turn it back on. (This will clear most of the fraud screens.)
• Check and remove viruses with antivirus software

What is "support fraud"? ~Let's get to know the basics~

"Support fraud" is a type of fraud that is carried out on the Internet, and involves pretending to be a support center for a specific company or service, pointing out a fictitious problem, and charging a support fee to resolve it.

This method has been rapidly increasing in recent years, and once you fall victim to it, you may incur huge losses. Therefore, Internet users must be wary of "support scams."

Examples of cases where you may be deceived by a "support scam" include the following:

・You will be asked to download a fake app that pretends to be a virus scan, and you will be asked to pay for it.

- A non-existent problem is pointed out and a fee is charged to resolve it.

・Providing fictitious support by using the name of a representative website or company.

There are various types of damage suffered by people who are deceived by such methods, and the following are some typical examples:

- Fees paid to the fake support center cannot be refunded.

・Downloading a fake app infects your computer and leaks confidential information.

・By running fake virus scans, you end up purchasing security software that you don't really need.

As mentioned above, "support fraud" can cause serious damage. Therefore, users should be aware of the following points.

・Check whether it is an official support center.

・Respond carefully to suspicious phone calls and emails.

・Do not download suspicious sites or apps.

- Thoroughly manage the security of your PC and smartphone.

By taking the above measures, you can protect yourself from support scams. However, if you still fall victim to a "support scam," it is important to immediately report the scam to a public agency.

What should I do if I encounter a "support scam"? ～Learn how to deal with it～

If you encounter a "support scam", it is important to know how to deal with it properly before you become a serious victim. In this article, we will introduce what to do if you encounter a "support scam".

1. Respond calmly without paying immediately

When you encounter a "support scam", the first thing you should do is remain calm. Scammers may try to get you to pay quickly, but never respond to such requests. If you pay right away, the damage may be greater.

2. Contact support center

If you receive a call or email from a fake support center, please contact the original support center directly. A legitimate support center will respond politely even to fake inquiries.

3. Report a scam

If you have been scammed, report it to the police or consumer center. By exposing fraudsters, we can reduce the number of people who suffer from the same damage.

4. Contact your credit card company for fraudulent charges

If you receive an unauthorized charge on your credit card, contact your credit card company immediately to stop the charge. Early response is important.

5. Restart your computer

If you allow a fake support center to access your computer, restart your computer immediately. Restarting may result in loss of access.

As mentioned above, if you encounter a "support scam", it is important to respond calmly. By never responding to scammers' requests and reporting them to authorized support centers and related organizations, you can reduce the number of people who fall victim to the same scams.

What should I do if I get scammed by a "support scam"? ～How to minimize damage～

If you have been fooled by a support scam, it is important to know how to deal with it appropriately to minimize the damage. In this article, we will introduce how to minimize the damage if you are deceived by a "support scam".

1. Contact your bank or credit card company

If you have been fooled into paying money by a support scam, first contact your bank or credit card company and have them cancel the payment. If your payment is unpaid, you need to take immediate action.

2. scan your computer

If you are fooled by a "support scam" and download a fraudulent app, there is a possibility that a virus or spyware may be installed on your computer. Therefore, scan your computer with security software and remove it if any abnormalities are found.

3. change password

If you fall for a support scam, your credit card and bank account information may be compromised. Therefore, change your password immediately to minimize the damage.

4. Report damage

Being a victim of fraud is never just your problem. By reporting the damage to the police or consumer center, you can reduce the number of people suffering from the same damage.

5. Manage damaged information

The compromised information can be used by fraudsters. Therefore, it is important to carefully manage the information that has been affected and to prevent it from being leaked to third parties.

As mentioned above, if you have been deceived by a "support scam", it is important to deal with it quickly. Early response can minimize damage. It is also important to report the damage to the police or consumer center in order to reduce the number of people suffering from the same damage.

How to prevent "support fraud"? ～Take thorough preventive measures～

"Support fraud" can become a serious problem if you fall victim to it, so it is important to take thorough preventive measures. In this article, we will introduce preventive measures to prevent support fraud.

1. Check the source of calls and emails

Support scams often involve people contacting you by phone or email pretending to be a fictitious support center. Therefore, it is important to check the sender. If you have any doubts, contact the police or consumer center immediately.

2. Install security software

It is important to install security software on your computer or smartphone. Security software has the ability to block unauthorized apps and sites.

3. Strengthen your password

Make sure your password is a strong combination of alphanumeric characters and not one that can be easily guessed. It's also important to avoid using the same password on multiple sites.

4. take a backup

If you fall for a support scam, data on your computer may be lost. Therefore, it is important to take regular backups.

5. Install updates

Updates for your computer or smartphone can help improve security and fix vulnerabilities. Therefore, be sure to install updates regularly.

6. Do not download suspicious sites or apps

Suspicious sites and apps may contain viruses and spyware. Therefore, only use trusted sites and apps.

As mentioned above, various preventive measures are necessary to prevent "support fraud" from occurring. By taking thorough preventive measures, you can prevent yourself from being deceived by support scams.

What is the method of "support fraud"? ～Learn the methods used by scammers～

"Support fraud" is a method of defrauding victims of money by pretending to be a fake support center. In this article, we will introduce the techniques of "support fraud".

1. Contact by phone or email

Scammers will contact you by phone or email and pretend to have a problem with your computer or smartphone. The scammers themselves then pretend to be representatives of a fake support center to defraud victims.
Refuse these contacts completely.

2. request access

Scammers request access to the victim's computer or smartphone. Once access is granted, the scammer tricks the victim by making it appear that there is a problem with the victim's computer or smartphone.
Specifically, I am trying to perform remote control.
Never use remote control.

3. make a fraudulent claim

Scammers make fraudulent charges to victims by pretending that they used a paid site they do not recognize. They may charge fake support center fees or guarantee fees to induce payment. They may also send you fake invoices.
These requests should never be accepted.

4. Phishing scam

Scammers may display phishing websites on victims' computers or smartphones. Phishing sites display a fake login screen to victims and ask them to enter their ID and password.

5. social engineering

Scammers often collect information about their victims and use that information to defraud them. For example, they may solicit passwords and bank account information from the victim's family or friends.

As mentioned above, there are various methods of "support fraud". Scammers often exploit victims' anxiety and impatience to defraud them. In order to avoid becoming a victim, you need to have calm judgment. It is also important to protect yourself by being careful about calls and emails from fake support centers.

How to recognize "support fraud"? ～Learn the points to spot scammers～

Support scams can be a serious problem if you fall victim to them, so it's important to know how to spot them. In this article, we will introduce the key points to spot "support scams".

1. Check the source of calls and emails

Support scams often involve people contacting you by phone or email pretending to be a fictitious support center. Therefore, it is important to check the sender. If you have any doubts, contact the police or consumer center immediately.

2. Be careful when access is requested

In "support scams," scammers may request access to the victim's computer or smartphone. Once access is granted, the scammer tricks the victim by making it appear that there is a problem with the victim's computer or smartphone. Therefore, please use caution when requesting access.

3. Be suspicious when asked to pay

In "support scams," scammers may ask victims to make a payment. They often charge fake support center fees and guarantee fees. So be suspicious if you are asked to pay.

4. Spot fake sites and emails

Scammers often create fake websites and emails to defraud victims. Fake sites and emails often have different URLs, so be sure to check them carefully.

5. Be careful of suspicious activity

Scammers often collect information about their victims and use that information to defraud them. For example, they may solicit passwords and bank account information from the victim's family or friends. Therefore, be careful if you notice any suspicious activity.

As mentioned above, there are various points to keep in mind in order to spot "support fraud".

Q&A regarding "Support Scam" - Introducing frequently asked questions and answers -

Support scams can be a serious problem if you fall victim to them, so it's important to know the answers to frequently asked questions. This article provides frequently asked questions and answers regarding "Support Scams".

Q. What is support fraud?

A. "Support fraud" is a method of defrauding victims of money by pretending to be a fictitious support center. This is a method of scamming victims by contacting them by phone or email and falsely claiming that there is a problem with their computer or smartphone.

Q. What should I do if I have been fooled by a support scam?

A. If you have been deceived by a support scam, it is important to first respond calmly. It is necessary to consult the police or consumer center and file a damage report. Also, check your bank account and check for unauthorized withdrawals.

Q. What can I do to prevent support fraud?

A. Various preventive measures are necessary to prevent support fraud. For example, if you receive a suspicious phone call or email, it is important to check the sender. It is also important to install security software and updates on your computer or smartphone.

Q. How much will it cost if I fall victim to support fraud?

A. If you are a victim of support fraud, there are various ways to pay. For example, if you are charged a fake support center fee or guarantee fee, it can range from a few thousand yen to hundreds of thousands of yen. There may also be additional costs, such as the cost of repairing your computer or smartphone.

Q. What should I do if I receive a support scam call or email?

A. If you receive a support scam call or email, first check the sender, and if you find it suspicious, stop responding to the call or email. Then, put the email in the trash and then use antivirus software to remove it.

Experiences of people who encountered "support fraud" - What we can learn from the voices of victims -

"Support fraud" can be a serious problem if you fall victim to it, so it is important to know the experiences of victims. In this article, we will introduce the experiences of people who have encountered "support scams" and what we can learn from the voices of victims.

1. Beware of suspicious calls

Many people who have encountered "support scams" have stories of receiving suspicious phone calls. The person on the other end of the phone pretends to be from a fictitious support center and falsely claims that there is a problem with their computer or smartphone. Therefore, if you receive a suspicious call, it is important to check the information of the other party.

2. do not allow access

In "support scams," scammers may request access to the victim's computer or smartphone. Once access is granted, the scammer tricks the victim by making it appear that there is a problem with the victim's computer or smartphone. Therefore, if you are asked for access, do not allow it.

3. don't pay

In "support scams," scammers may ask victims to make a payment. They often charge fake support center fees and guarantee fees. Therefore, if you are asked to pay, it is important to be suspicious and consult the police or consumer center.

4. Check your bank account

In "support scams," fraudsters sometimes make fraudulent withdrawals to victims' bank accounts. Therefore, if you are a victim of a scam, be sure to check your bank account immediately to make sure there are no unauthorized withdrawals.

As mentioned above, we can learn from the experiences of people who have encountered "support scams" and from the voices of victims. It is important to be wary of suspicious calls and emails and not allow access.

Summary of news and incidents on the theme of "support fraud" - Catch up on the latest information -

"Support fraud" has recently become a worldwide problem, and various incidents and news have been reported. This article summarizes the latest information on "support scams" and provides information on how to prevent damage.

1. Indian police carry out large-scale bust

In February 2022, Indian police busted a criminal organization operating a fake technical support center. The criminal organization is said to have defrauded victims of approximately $200 million in the United States, United Kingdom, and other countries. Authorities in the United States and Britain also cooperated in the raid.

2. Australian banks launch initiative to prevent support fraud

Australian banks have launched an initiative to prevent support fraud. Specifically, for calls made by banks to customers, displaying the calling number will help customers identify suspicious calls.

3. Support fraud damage is increasing in Japan as well.

As of 2022, damage from support fraud is increasing in Japan as well. In particular, it seems that many victims are targeted at the elderly. Police and consumer centers are warning against suspicious calls and emails to prevent damage.

4. National Police Agency efforts regarding support fraud

Japan's National Police Agency is stepping up efforts against support scams. Specifically, we are working to prevent damage by conducting training and awareness-raising activities for police officers. We also urge the use of security software to prevent unauthorized access by fraudsters.

As mentioned above, we have summarized the latest information regarding "support scams". To prevent damage, it is important to be careful about suspicious calls and emails and consult with the police or consumer center. Also, be sure to take all possible security measures to avoid falling victim to support scams.

Statistical data and analysis on "support fraud" - Understand the current situation and consider countermeasures -

"Support fraud" has recently become a worldwide problem, and it is important to understand the number and situation of damage. In this article, we will use statistical data and analysis regarding "support fraud" to understand the current situation and provide information to consider countermeasures.

1. Damage situation

According to a survey by a global research company, the number of victims of support fraud will reach approximately 100 million in 2021. The age range of victims is wide, ranging from people in their 20s to people in their 70s, but older people tend to be the most affected. The amount of damage varies from several thousand yen to hundreds of thousands of yen, with the average amount being approximately 30,000 yen.

2. Cause of damage

One of the most common ways to fall victim to support scams is by contacting a fake technical support center. Fraudsters use tricks to deceive victims by falsely claiming that there is a problem with their computers or smartphones. Also, be wary of suspicious phone calls or emails.

3. Need for countermeasures

Support scams have a serious impact on victims, so countermeasures are necessary. Police and consumer centers are warning people against suspicious calls and emails in order to prevent damage. It is also important to have knowledge about IT security, such as using security software and managing passwords.

4. summary

Based on statistical data and analysis regarding "support fraud," we were able to understand the damage situation and causes of occurrence. Many victims are targeted at the elderly, and the amount of damage varies from several thousand yen to hundreds of thousands of yen. As a countermeasure, it is important to be aware of suspicious calls and emails and to have knowledge about IT security. Consulting with the police or consumer center may also help.

Summary of causes, methods, and methods of support fraud

Most support scams are scams that pretend to be infected with a virus.
Please use the method described here to force shut down your computer to resolve the issue.

Also, some people think that Windows 10 and 11 are immune to viruses, but that is a story of the past. Be sure to update your computer to the latest version and install antivirus software.