Beware of Scam Bags This Holiday Season: Don't Let Them Ruin Your Cheer

  The holidays are here—a time for family, fun, and celebration. But lurking behind the joy are scammers, or as we like to call them, "Scam Bags." These lowlifes are on the prowl, using every trick they can think of to steal from unsuspecting people. One of their favorite scams? The dreaded "Microsoft has detected a virus on your computer" pop-up. It looks real, sounds urgent, and is completely fake. It’s designed to scare you into handing over your money.

We're going to use the name Sarah for this blog today.
A Holiday Scam Bag Victim

  Let’s talk about Sarah. She’s just like you or me. She loves Facebook, sharing recipes, and posting pictures of her Christmas decorations.

On the evening of 11/13/2024, Sarah was scrolling through her favorite holiday craft group when a message took over her screen:

"MICROSOFT ALERT: Your computer has been infected with a virus! Call 1-800-XXX-XXXX immediately."

To make matters worse, a robotic voice blared, “Do not close this window. Your computer is at risk.” Her keyboard and mouse stopped working. Sarah panicked.

She called the number, desperate for help. The man on the other end sounded professional and kind. He said he was a Microsoft technician and asked her to install a program called Anydesk so he could fix the problem remotely. Trusting him, Sarah followed his instructions.

Once he had control of her computer, he pulled up what looked like her bank account and told her something unbelievable: while repairing her computer, they had accidentally deposited $4,000 into her account.

The scammer begged Sarah to help by returning the money, saying his job was on the line. Wanting to do the right thing, Sarah followed his instructions. She went to Walmart, bought thousands of dollars in gift cards, and gave him the codes over the phone.

By the time her real bank called to warn her about suspicious activity, it was too late. The $4,000 deposit was fake. The so-called Microsoft technician was a fraud. And the pop-up? Just a scam to reel her in.

How to Handle These Scams

If you run into one of these fake virus alerts, don’t panic. Here’s what you should do:

1. Don’t Call the Number. Ever. Calling only gives the scammers an opening to manipulate you.
2. Turn Off Your Computer. Hold down the power button for at least 10 seconds to shut it down. When you restart, the pop-up will usually be gone.
3. Get Professional Help. If you’re worried your computer might actually be infected, we can help. At Arab Computer Services, we’ll clean your system for just $75. Not only will we remove any threats, but we’ll also optimize your computer to make it faster and more secure.

Why You Should Never Pay

These scammers rely on fear and guilt to get what they want. Every gift card or wire transfer keeps their operation going. But you have the power to stop them.

Remember: no real company, including Microsoft, will ever ask you to pay with gift cards or call them from a pop-up.

How These Scams Work

Here’s the truth about these pop-ups:

• They’re fake. They aren’t from Microsoft or anyone trustworthy.
• They’re designed to scare you. Blaring alarms, robotic voices, and frozen screens are all part of the act.
• They trick you into calling. The number leads directly to a scammer who will do whatever it takes to steal your money.

Their goal? Gain control of your computer, access your personal info, or guilt-trip you into sending them money.

 Stay Scam-Free This Holiday Season

Scammers thrive during the holidays because they know people are busy and distracted. But you don’t have to be their next victim. If you see a suspicious pop-up, just say no. And if you want extra peace of mind, reach out to us at CS Computer Repair (Arab Computer Services) at
https://www.ArabComputerServices.com.

Stay safe, stay smart, and keep the Scam Bags from stealing your holiday cheer—or your hard-earned money!

~Chad Sanders 11-18-2024