Rant: Got phished by a fake 'IT support' call last Wednesday

Some guy called me saying our internet was hacked and convinced me to install remote desktop software. Lost access to my bank for 2 hours before I realized what was happening. Has anyone else had these fake IT calls and what do you do to shut them down quick?

3 comments

3 Comments

gonzalez.rowan2mo ago

Ugh, people like that make me sick. Did they threaten you with some urgent time limit to scare you into acting fast? That's their classic move. 'Your ip is compromised, you have to do this right now or your bank gets wiped.' I always tell them I'm calling them back through the official number on the company's website. Most hang up immediately when you say that. What was the exact thing they said to get you to install the software?

davis.gavin2mo ago

Spot on about the urgency trick. That's exactly how they got me too, said my account would be drained in 10 minutes if I didn't act. Now I just ask them for a case number or employee ID and say I'll call the company back directly. 9 times out of 10 they hang up. The real game changer for me was getting a call blocking app that screens numbers and flags known spam. I also put a sticky note right on my monitor that says "HANG UP AND CALL THE REAL NUMBER." Saved me twice since then.

hall.charles12d ago

Ugh, I feel you on that one! It's wild how they make you feel like the world's ending if you don't act in 10 seconds flat. I do the same thing now, just ask for a reference number and tell them I'll call the official line, and it works like a charm every time.