PORTLAND, Maine — The FBI is warning people to look out for fake tech support calls and notifications, after a Maine couple was recently scammed out of more than $1 million.
The couple received a pop-up alert on their computer telling them their computer had been breached and there was an attempt to compromise their banking information, according to FBI investigators.
The couple was asked to call someone supposedly from Fidelity and wire $1.1 million from their retirement account to “Coinbase,” along with a home equity line of credit for safekeeping.
The couple lost all of their money and the scammers cut off all contact.
In the last year alone, the FBI says 106 Mainers lost more than $673,000 in all to tech support frauds.
The FBI is offering tips on how to avoid these scams:
- Legitimate customer, security, or tech support companies will not initiate unsolicited contact with individuals.
- Ensure computer anti-virus, security and malware protection is up to date and settings are enabled to reduce pop-ups.
- Be cautious of customer support numbers obtained via online searching. Phone numbers listed in a “sponsored” results section are likely boosted as a search of Search Engine Advertising.
- If a pop-up or error message appears with a phone number, don’t call the number. Error and warning messages never include phone numbers.
- Resist the pressure to act quickly. Criminals will urge the victim to act fast to protect their device or…
