[TVARC] Fwd: Computer scam alert

[George Briggs]

Bob Averitt asked me to forward this.
George 

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Robert Averitt <bobandsandy1964 at gmail.com>
> Date: January 18, 2019 at 5:53:42 PM EST
> To: George - K2DM Briggs <k2dm at comcast.net>
> Subject: Computer scam alert
> 
> George - please post this on the TVARC email list .....
> 
> 
> Computer scam alert .....
>  
> I just went to a meeting of The Villages Computer Club and heard about a return of a computer scam.  This has happened several times in The Villages and one man just lost $500 and had his entire My Docs (tax files, passwords, email lists, addresses, etc.) downloaded to the scammers.  He had to cancel credit cards and change all his passwords.
> This is how it works .....
>  
> A pop-up screen, with the Microsoft symbol, indicates that your computer has been infected with a Trojan virus and for you to call the number on the screen for a ‘fix’ for the virus.  You are led to believe that this is actually a REAL call from Microsoft.  You might NOT be able to ignore it (clicking on X to close will NOT work).
> Calling the number will connect you to a Microsoft ‘agent’ who will inform you of a $500 fee to repair YOUR section of the ‘master computer mainframe’.  Refusal might  cause them to ‘delete’ all your files from the mainframe and will cause your computer to ‘freeze up’.  The ‘agent’ will ask for to connect to your computer through ‘msconfig’ (Microsoft Configuration) so they can download files (Pictures, Music and, most importantly, My Docs) to find the location of the virus and remove it.  
>  
> Solution...
> ·        Do NOT call the number on the screen!!!
> ·        Do NOT let ANYONE get into ‘msconfig’ on your computer!
> ·        Try the Esc (escape) key to bypass the pop-up screen
> ·        TURN OFF MAIN COMPUTER POWER and reboot later (best solution)
>  
> Best regards,
> Bob Averitt
> WA3EWK
> 
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