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© 2016 Bank of the West Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender You receive a pop-up message or cold call about security issues with your computer or mobile device. The caller requests a fee to “fix” the issue. You’re asked to give remote access to your computer or bank account. Your device’s screen freezes with a phone number and directions to call a (phony) tech support company. You’re asked for bank account/credit card number or online banking login. Do not give remote access to unknown callers, especially if you did not start the call. Do not share your online banking login. Use caution when providing credit card or bank account numbers. Hang up on the caller if you’re being threatened or intimidated. Contact your bank or credit card company immediately if you think you’ve been victimized. $ $ $ ******** ******** The scheme involves someone pretending to work for a computer security or software company who tricks people into paying bogus service fees or sharing their credit card numbers or online banking credentials. In the first four months of 2016, total consumer losses to the tech support scam exceeded $2 million, according to the FBI. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW THE TECH SUPPORT SCAM: For more information, visit Bank of the West’s Fraud Center (http://gowe.st/fraud) or use the links below. #BeCyberSafe https://www.ic3.gov/media/2016/160602.aspx https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0346-tech-support-scams Sources: SIGNS FOR CAUTION TIPS FOR PREVENTION
