Tag scam

Scams and Scammers – Phones

by Billy J Long Guidance, PSA Articles

Article (PSA‑0025)

Why Phone Scams Are a Big Deal

Scammers use the phone to steal personal information—identity data, bank‑account numbers, credit‑card details—or to extort money directly. Because a voice can sound professional, friendly, and urgent, it’s easy to let your guard down.

Typical Phone‑Scam Tactics

  • Impersonating a trusted source – they claim to be from Microsoft, your bank, the IRS, or a government agency.
  • Urgent “security” alerts – “Your account has been compromised, call us now!”
  • Requests for personal data – passwords, Social‑Security numbers, credit‑card codes.
  • Directing you to a fake website – they’ll ask you to type a URL or click a link while on the call.

Red Flags to Spot a Phone Scam

  • They ask for any personal or financial information over the phone.
  • They claim “we’ll never call you” if they *are* a legitimate company (the opposite is true).
  • They create a sense of urgency: “You must act now or you’ll lose money.”
  • The caller ID shows a suspicious, foreign, or “spoofed” number.

Simple, Effective Defense: Hang Up

  1. When you suspect a scam, end the call immediately. Do not answer follow‑up questions.
  2. If the caller claims to be from a company you do business with, look up the official phone number on the company’s website or on your billing statement, then call that number yourself.
  3. Never provide passwords, credit‑card numbers, or Social‑Security numbers to unsolicited callers.

Quick Phone‑Scam Checklist

  • ✔️ Never give personal data** to an unexpected caller.
  • ✔️ Hang up** as soon as something feels off or you feel pressured.
  • ✔️ Verify by calling the organization’s official number** (don’t use the number the caller gave you).
  • ✔️ Register your mobile number on the National Do‑Not‑Call Registry** (if available in your country).
  • ✔️ Report the call** to the FTC (reportfraud.ftc.gov) or your local consumer‑protection agency.

If You Think You’ve Already Given Information

  • Contact your bank or credit‑card issuer immediately and explain the situation.
  • Change passwords for any accounts that may have been compromised.
  • Place a fraud alert on your credit reports (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
  • Monitor your accounts for unusual activity over the next 30‑60 days.

What’s Next?

The next post will dive into **email scams (phishing)**—another common way attackers try to steal your data. The same principles—skepticism, verification, and not engaging—apply.

Need More Help?

If you have any questions about a recent call or want a quick security review, call PSA Computer Services at (707) 506‑6802.

Scams and Scammers – Web Browsers

by Billy J Long Guidance, PSA Articles

Article (PSA‑0024)

Why Browser Hijacks Are a Problem

When you browse the web, a malicious link, image, or ad can act as a “trigger.” If you click—or even hover over—it, the page can launch a fake virus‑alert dialog, play alarming sounds, and display a phone number that urges you to call right away. The goal is simple: create panic so you’ll act without thinking.

How the Hijack Works (plain language)

  • Click‑bait / pop‑under ads – bright headlines or images that urge you to click.
  • The trigger runs a tiny piece of code that opens a fake scanning window (often looks like a legitimate antivirus).
  • The dialog tells you “your PC is infected” and shows a phone number or a link to “pay to clean it.”

Two Safe Ways to Stop a Browser Hijack

Method 1 – Use Task Manager (recommended for most users)

  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and choose Task Manager.
  2. In the Processes tab, locate the browser you were using (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.).
  3. Right‑click the browser name and select End task. This closes the browser **and** the fake alert.
  4. Re‑open the same browser. If it asks to “Restore pages,” click No – restoring will bring the fake alert back.

Note: This method does not affect any unsaved documents because only the browser is stopped.

Method 2 – Hard Power‑Off (last resort)

  1. If you can’t reach Task Manager, press and hold the computer’s power button for 4‑6 seconds until it powers off.
  2. Wait a few seconds, then turn the computer back on.
  3. Open your web browser again and decline any “Restore pages” prompt to avoid the fake alert.

Warning: This forces all programs to close abruptly, so any unsaved work in other applications will be lost. Use Method 1 whenever possible.

Quick Checklist to Keep Your Browser Safe

  • ✔️ Never click on pop‑ups or ads that look too “urgent.”
  • ✔️ Close the browser via Task Manager if a fake alert appears.
  • ✔️ Decline “Restore pages” prompts after a crash or forced shutdown.
  • ✔️ Keep your browser and OS updated; patches often block known hijack scripts.
  • ✔️ Consider installing an ad‑blocking extension (uBlock Origin, AdBlock Plus) to reduce malicious ads.
  • ✔️ Run a reputable anti‑malware scan periodically (Microsoft Defender, Malwarebytes, etc.).

What to Do If You Accidentally Call the Scam Number

  • Hang up immediately.
  • Do NOT provide any personal or payment information.
  • If you think you may have given details, contact your bank or credit‑card issuer right away.
  • Monitor your accounts for unfamiliar activity over the next 30 days.

What’s Next?

The next article will cover phone scams – how to recognize them and what to do if you receive a suspicious call.

Need a Hand?

If you’re unsure how to stop a hijack or want a quick security review, call PSA Computer Services at (707) 506‑6802.